The U.S. State Department on Tuesday designated Colombia’s Clan del Golfo,the nation’s largest remaining criminal organization,as a Foreign Terrorist Organization,a move with far-reaching legal and political implications [[3]]. The designation, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, arrives amidst ongoing-and increasingly fraught-peace negotiations between the Colombian government and the group, and reflects a important escalation in U.S. counter-narcotics policy under the Trump administration [[1]]. This action effectively broadens the scope of U.S. sanctions and criminal penalties applicable to those linked to the Clan del Golfo, complicating the already delicate peace process [[2]].
The United States government has designated Colombia’s Clan del Golfo, widely considered the country’s largest criminal organization, as a foreign terrorist organization. The move, announced Tuesday, December 16, 2025, by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reflects a hardening of Washington’s stance against transnational crime and escalating tensions with Bogotá. The designation carries significant legal ramifications, including asset freezes and potential criminal penalties for those who support the group.
“Today, the Department of State designates the Clan del Golfo as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT),” Rubio stated in a released statement. He described the group as a “violent and powerful criminal organization with thousands of members” whose primary revenue source is cocaine trafficking, used to fund its violent activities.
According to Rubio, the Clan del Golfo is “responsible for terrorist attacks against public officials, law enforcement agents, military personnel, and civilians in Colombia.” This designation comes as the organization is currently engaged in peace talks with the Colombian government of Gustavo Petro.
Rising Tensions with Colombia
The timing of the designation coincides with a period of strained relations between the U.S. and Colombia. Recent disagreements include the deployment of U.S. military forces in the Caribbean as part of President Donald Trump’s anti-drug campaign, which has also been expanded to the Eastern Pacific, and a series of critical exchanges between Petro and Trump. The development underscores growing regional tensions surrounding drug trafficking and security cooperation.
Also known as the Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (EGC), the Clan del Golfo is considered the successor to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), a paramilitary group. The organization currently comprises approximately 9,000 members, according to reports. Its activities center on drug trafficking, illegal mining, and migrant smuggling.
Peace negotiations between Bogotá and the Clan del Golfo began in mid-September in Doha, Qatar, with mediation support from Qatar, Spain, Norway, and Switzerland.
Expanding List of Designated Terrorist Groups
Since President Trump’s return to office in January, Washington has designated six major Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations: the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), the Northeast Cartel, the Gulf Cartel, Carteles Unidos, and the New Mexican Family.
The U.S. has also added the Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and Barrio 18 transnational gangs, as well as the Ecuadorian groups Los Lobos and Los Choneros, to the list. The Trump administration has even accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading the Cartel de los Soles, a claim Caracas denies.
Being designated as a terrorist entity carries broad legal consequences in the U.S., including the freezing of assets and the potential for criminal prosecution for providing support – direct or indirect – to these organizations.
gs (efe, afp, reuters)
