In a significant escalation of its counter-narcotics strategy, the Trump administration has formally designated Colombia’s Clan del Golfo as a foreign terrorist organization. This decisive move, announced by the U.S. State Department on Tuesday, targets one of Latin America’s most formidable drug cartels and represents a substantial shift in hemispheric policy approaches.
The State Department characterization portrays Clan del Golfo as a ‘violent and powerful criminal organization’ that systematically employs cocaine trafficking revenues to finance its extensive operations. The designation specifically cites the group’s responsibility for ‘terrorist attacks against public officials, law enforcement and military personnel, and civilians in Colombia.’
This development occurs against a backdrop of deteriorating U.S.-Colombian relations. The Trump administration recently returned Colombia to its list of nations failing to cooperate in anti-drug efforts—the first such designation in nearly three decades. This diplomatic reproach reflects both the documented surge in cocaine production and the increasingly strained relationship between the White House and Colombia’s leftist President Gustavo Petro.
Further complicating bilateral relations, the United States imposed sanctions on President Petro in October based on allegations that his administration permitted drug cartels to ‘flourish’ and expand cocaine exports to American markets. Petro has vigorously contested these accusations, countering that Colombia has achieved record-level cocaine interceptions while avoiding lethal force against suspected smugglers.
With approximately 9,000 combatants, Clan del Golfo (alternatively known by its Spanish acronym AGC) maintains a substantial presence across approximately one-third of Colombia’s municipalities according to the nation’s Human Rights Defender’s Office. The organization, which evolved from right-wing paramilitary units that previously combated Marxist guerrillas, stands accused of systematic extortion against local businesses and child recruitment practices.
This terrorist designation introduces complex implications for ongoing peace negotiations between the Colombian government and AGC. Since September, both parties have engaged in discussions potentially leading to fighter disarmament in exchange for reduced sentences for leadership figures. A recent agreement signed in Qatar established designated zones where AGC members would receive protection from prosecution during peace talks, alongside suspensions of extradition proceedings against leaders.
Elizabeth Dickinson, Colombia analyst at the International Crisis Group, suggests the designation may represent a symbolic message urging Colombian authorities to adopt a more stringent stance toward the armed group. Dickinson notes that ‘the tensions between Colombia and Washington are at historic levels,’ adding that the move could give ‘pause to Colombian authorities…going forward.’
While the terrorist designation doesn’t automatically authorize military strikes, it significantly enhances the legal framework for potential offensive operations. The administration previously employed similar designations against Venezuelan criminal organizations Tren de Aragua and Cartel de los Soles before conducting maritime operations against alleged drug smuggling vessels—actions whose legality has been questioned by U.S. lawmakers.
President Trump’s recent characterization of Petro as ‘fairly hostile’ to American interests, coupled with warnings of ‘big problems’ if policies don’t change, underscores the profound diplomatic challenges currently defining U.S.-Colombian relations.