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The Department of State announced Tuesday that the United States is designating Clan del Golfo, one of Colombia’s largest illegal armed groups, as a terrorist organization.
The move marks the latest step by Washington to bolster counter-narcotics and security efforts near the Colombia–Venezuela border. Tensions in the region have escalated after President Donald Trump accused Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro of facilitating criminal operations tied to drug trafficking.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that Clan del Golfo has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks, primarily funded through drug trafficking.
"Today, the Department of State is designating Clan del Golfo as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)," Rubio said.
"Based in Colombia, Clan del Golfo is a violent and powerful criminal organization with thousands of members. The group’s primary source of income is cocaine trafficking, which it uses to fund its violent activities. Clan del Golfo is responsible for terrorist attacks against public officials, law enforcement and military personnel, and civilians in Colombia."
