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The US government has formally classified the Gulf Clan, Colombia's most dominant and formidable illegal armed group, as a terrorist entity.

This notorious drug-trafficking militia, with origins in far-right armed groups, operates in at least 20 of Colombia's departments.

It controls key people- and drug-smuggling routes through the notorious Darién Gap and has clashed leftwing rebels for control of illicit operations along the Venezuelan border.

Political Posturing

In the past few years, the cartel has sought to rebrand itself as a political force, akin to other Colombian rebel groups.

This strategy could secure it different terms in any potential negotiations. However, it is not widely considered to have tangible political objectives.

Official US Stance

In a Tuesday's announcement, the US top diplomat described the Gulf Clan—which goes by the name the Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC)—as a "brutal and influential criminal organisation."

He noted it has "a membership in the thousands" and that its "primary source of income is cocaine trafficking, which it uses to fund its brutal campaigns."

Broader Context

While other Colombian armed factions have been listed as terrorist groups before, this ruling is the first under the present US government.

This administration has previously targeted six cartels in Mexico and a pair in Venezuela.

Growing Diplomatic Strain

The move is set to worsen tensions between the US and Colombia's president, who strongly opposes the US pressure campaign against Venezuela.

This encompasses deadly airstrikes on vessels that have reportedly killed numerous people in coastal waters.

The two presidents have exchanged sharp words for several weeks. After implying that any drug-producing country was a potential target, the US president singled out Colombia, stating the Colombian leader "will face himself some big problems if he doesn't change course."

The Colombian president responded by cautioning his US counterpart to "not wake the jaguar" with militaristic threats.

Narco-Trafficking as Pretext

The US has cited its anti-narcotics campaign to justify the strikes on boats it alleges are ferrying drug shipments.

The Colombian president has labeled these attacks as "unlawful killing." Recently, the US military stated it had conducted new strikes on three vessels near Colombia's Pacific coast, leading to eight fatalities.

Previous Designations

Other Colombian armed groups have been on the US foreign terrorist organisations list for years.

• This includes the National Liberation Army (ELN).
• It also covers breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) that resumed fighting after the 2016 peace agreement.

Failed Weakening Attempts

Some Colombian officials had hoped the Gulf Clan might be crippled by the arrest and deportation of its main leader to the US in 2022.

On the contrary, the group unleashed a campaign of terror, assassinating police officers and local leaders and holding vast areas of the country in a state of fear.

Obstacle to Peace

The Gulf Clan is now engaged in halting talks with the government. It is seen as the key impediment to the president's struggling "total peace" plan, which aims to end the country's multifaceted armed conflict.