Former Clan del Golfo leader Dairo Antonio Usuga (center right), aka “Otoniel,” during his extradition to the United States from Bogota, Colombia, May 4, 2022.Image: keystone
December 16, 2025, 8:10 p.mDecember 16, 2025, 8:10 p.m
The US government has designated Colombia’s powerful crime syndicate, the Clan del Golfo (Gulf Clan), as a terrorist organization. This was announced by the US State Department. The group’s main source of income was cocaine smuggling, it was said. The cartel is also responsible for terrorist attacks against officials, law enforcement and military personnel as well as civilians in Colombia.
The Clan del Golfo recruits its members primarily from the ranks of former right-wing paramilitaries and, in addition to drug trafficking, is also involved in illegal mining and protection rackets.
After the killing of dozens of police and soldiers, Colombia’s left-wing President Gustavo Petro announced an intensified offensive against the organization in April. However, Petro itself was hit with US sanctions in October. The US government accuses him of failing to take action against drug cartels. The Colombian president rejected the allegations.
Tensions between Trump and Colombia’s head of state
Petro and US President Donald Trump have clashed several times over the controversial US military operations in the Caribbean. Petro accused the USA of murder, and Trump in return called him a “drug lord”.
The US military has destroyed numerous boats belonging to suspected drug smugglers in the Caribbean. There were also attacks in the Pacific. (sda/dpa)