U.S. designates Clan del Golfo as Foreign Terrorist Organization

U.S. Designates Clan del Golfo as Foreign Terrorist Organization

On December 16, 2025, the United States Department of State officially designated Clan del Golfo, also known as the Gulf Clan or the Gaitanista Army of Colombia, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). This significant action underscores the U.S. government"s commitment to combatting international terrorism and transnational crime.

Key Details

Clan del Golfo is a powerful and violent criminal organization based in Colombia, boasting thousands of members. The group has gained notoriety primarily for its involvement in cocaine trafficking, which serves as its main source of revenue. This illicit drug trade not only finances the organization"s operations but also fuels its violent activities across Colombia.

The organization has been implicated in numerous terrorist attacks targeting public officials, law enforcement, military personnel, and civilians. These attacks contribute to the ongoing violence and instability in Colombia, a country that has long struggled with drug-related crime and armed conflict.

The U.S. Department of State"s designation of Clan del Golfo as an FTO is a strategic move aimed at disrupting the group"s funding and operational capabilities. The designation is executed under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, which allows the U.S. government to impose sanctions and other measures against foreign entities engaged in terrorist activities. The designation will take effect upon publication in the Federal Register.

Background

Clan del Golfo emerged in the early 2010s as a successor to the paramilitary groups that were demobilized in Colombia. The organization has since become one of the most formidable criminal enterprises in the country, controlling significant portions of the cocaine trade and engaging in violent confrontations with rival groups and state forces. The group"s operations extend beyond Colombia, impacting regional security and contributing to the broader narcotics crisis affecting the Americas.

The U.S. government has previously expressed concern over the activities of Clan del Golfo and its role in perpetuating violence and instability in Colombia. The designation as an FTO is part of a broader strategy to combat international cartels and transnational criminal organizations that threaten U.S. national security and the safety of its citizens.

What"s Next

Following this designation, the United States will utilize all available tools to counter the activities of Clan del Golfo and similar organizations. This includes denying funding and resources to the group, as well as collaborating with international partners to enhance law enforcement efforts against drug trafficking and terrorism.

The U.S. Department of State"s actions reflect a commitment to addressing the challenges posed by narcoterrorism in Colombia and the surrounding region. As previously reported, recent developments have highlighted the ongoing struggle against narcoterrorist groups, including the Gulf Clan"s control over critical drug routes in the Eastern Pacific, as well as their interactions with other criminal organizations such as FARC-EMC and ELN.

For more insights into the ongoing situation, check out our related coverage on U.S. Secretary of State"s briefing regarding narcoterrorist activities in the region.

As the situation develops, the U.S. will continue to monitor the activities of Clan del Golfo and other similar organizations, ensuring that measures are in place to protect national security and support stability in Colombia.