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The US government has added to its list the Gulf Clan, the nation's most dominant and formidable illegal armed group, as a foreign terrorist organization.

This infamous drug-trafficking faction, with origins in right-wing paramilitary forces, operates in at least 20 of Colombia's regions.

It dominates key people- and drug-smuggling routes through the treacherous Darién Gap and has clashed leftist rebels for control of criminal networks along the shared border.

Political Posturing

In recent years, the organization has attempted to present itself as a political force, similar to other Colombian rebel groups.

This strategy could secure it more favorable terms in any potential peace talks. However, it is not widely considered to have tangible political aims.

US Government Statement

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

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

Broader Context

While other Colombian armed factions have been listed as terrorist groups before, this designation 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 decision is set to worsen tensions between the US and Colombia's president, who strongly opposes the US pressure campaign against Venezuela.

This includes lethal military strikes on vessels that have reportedly killed scores of people in Pacific and Caribbean waters.

The two leaders have traded public barbs for several weeks. After warning that any drug-producing country was a potential target, the US president singled out Colombia, stating the Colombian leader "is going to have significant difficulties if he doesn't change course."

The Colombian president retorted by warning his US counterpart to "avoid provoking a strong response" with militaristic threats.

The "War on Drugs" Justification

The US has used its so-called war on drugs to justify the strikes on boats it alleges are transporting illicit cargo.

The Colombian president has labeled these attacks as "unlawful killing." Early on Tuesday, the US military stated it had carried out 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 terror list for years.

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

Unsuccessful Strategies

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

On the contrary, the group unleashed a wave of violence, assassinating police officers and local leaders and keeping large swaths of the country hostage.

Obstacle to Peace

The Gulf Clan is now engaged in halting talks with the government. It is regarded as the primary barrier to the president's stumbling "total peace" plan, which aims to end the country's complex armed conflict.