The United States has officially designated Colombia’s notorious drug-trafficking organization Clan del Golfo, also known as the Gulf Clan, as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). The move, announced by the US Treasury Department, comes just hours after President Donald Trump signed an executive order classifying fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction.”

These measures signal a major escalation in the Trump administration’s ongoing war on drugs, which has included over 20 lethal strikes on vessels suspected of transporting narcotics in the Caribbean and Pacific oceans.

---

About the Clan del Golfo

The Clan del Golfo has been involved in cocaine trafficking for decades, primarily moving the drug from Colombia—the world’s largest producer—to the United States and Europe. The group also plays a significant role in smuggling migrants through the Darién Gap, the dense jungle connecting Colombia and Panama.

While the gang’s original leader, Dairo Úsugas, was arrested in 2021, leadership has since passed to a man known as Chiquito Malo, and the organization continues to operate with thousands of members.

In addition to drug trafficking, the US government accuses Clan del Golfo of terrorist attacks on civilians, public officials, and law enforcement personnel in Colombia.

---

Implications of the FTO Designation

The designation allows the US to:

• Freeze any assets the gang may hold in US financial institutions.
• Prosecute individuals, including US citizens, who knowingly provide material support to the group.
• Impose additional sanctions on its leaders and affiliated organizations.

The move comes amid growing tensions in Latin America, as President Trump has repeatedly suggested the possibility of land strikes against drug traffickers, in addition to naval operations targeting alleged drug vessels.

---

Impact on Colombian Peace Efforts

The FTO designation is likely to complicate ongoing negotiations between the Colombian government and the Clan del Golfo.

Less than two weeks prior, Colombian President Gustavo Petro reached a landmark agreement with the gang aimed at bringing peace to areas under its control. The deal included assurances that gang members would not face extradition to the UN.

Trump’s designation has the potential to undermine these talks, increasing tension between the US and Colombia. Relations between Petro and the Trump administration have been strained, with Petro previously condemning US strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats as “murder” and Rubio publicly criticizing the Colombian president.

---

Fentanyl and the US Drug Crisis

The Trump administration has also intensified its focus on fentanyl, the synthetic opioid responsible for tens of thousands of deaths in the US. By classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, the administration aims to expand legal and operational powers to target smugglers and distributors.

• Over 110,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2023.
• While overdose deaths fell by 25% in 2024, the crisis remains a national priority.
• Trump claims that strikes on suspected drug vessels prevent fentanyl from entering the US and save thousands of lives, though officials have not publicly confirmed that fentanyl was present on the vessels.

Experts note that neither Colombia nor Venezuela produces fentanyl, raising questions about the focus of US operations in the region.

---

Regional and International Reactions

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the classification of fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, highlighting potential unintended consequences. She emphasized the need to address root causes of drug use and noted that fentanyl has legitimate medical applications, including pain relief in hospitals.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to target Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whom it accuses of leading the Cartel of the Suns, also designated as an FTO. Trump has hinted at potential land-based operations against drug traffickers in both Venezuela and Colombia.