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The American administration has officially designated the Gulf Clan, the nation's most dominant and formidable illegal armed group, as a terrorist entity.

This infamous narcotics-smuggling militia, with roots in far-right paramilitary forces, is present in at least 20 of Colombia's regions.

It monopolizes key people- and drug-smuggling routes through the treacherous Darién Gap and has battled leftist rebels for control of illicit operations along the shared border.

A Political Facade?

In the past few years, the organization has sought to rebrand itself as a political movement, like other Colombian rebel groups.

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

Official US Stance

In a Tuesday's announcement, the US top diplomat described the Gulf Clan—which calls itself the Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC)—as a "violent and powerful criminal organisation."

He stated it has "thousands of members" and that its "main revenue stream is cocaine trafficking, which it uses to fund its armed operations."

Wider Implications

While other Colombian criminal groups have been listed as terrorist groups before, this decision is the initial under the present US government.

This government has previously targeted multiple syndicates in Mexico and two in Venezuela.

Escalating Tensions

The move is expected to heighten strains between the US and Colombia's president, who has vocally criticized the US pressure campaign against Venezuela.

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

The two leaders have exchanged sharp words for several weeks. After warning that any drug-producing country was a possible focus, the US president singled out Colombia, stating the Colombian leader "is going to have significant difficulties if he doesn't wise up."

The Colombian president retorted by cautioning his US counterpart to "not wake the jaguar" with threats of military action.

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 described these attacks as "murder." Recently, the US military announced it had conducted new strikes on three vessels near Colombia's Pacific coast, resulting in eight fatalities.

Previous Designations

Other Colombian criminal organisations have been on the US foreign terrorist organisations list for a long time.

• This includes the National Liberation Army (ELN).
• It also includes breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) that took up arms again after the 2016 peace agreement.

Failed Weakening Attempts

Some authorities in Colombia had hoped the Gulf Clan might be crippled by the capture and extradition of its top commander to the US in 2022.

On the contrary, the group unleashed a campaign of terror, killing police officers and local leaders and holding vast areas of the country hostage.

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 stumbling "comprehensive peace" plan, which aims to end the country's many-sided armed conflict.