The US government made official the designation of the Gulf Clan as a terrorist organization and included it in the Clinton List, a move that puts in check the peace talks that the Colombian president has been promoting with this armed structure.

The terrorist classification, announced by the State Department and supported by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), implies total blockade of economic resources, global financial persecution and absolute prohibition for any North American citizen or company to have contact with the group or its members.

This criminal gang, identified as the largest exporter of cocaine in the national territory, now faces international sanctions that go beyond the freezing of accounts: any transaction with its members is completely prohibited under United States legislation.

Also read: Investigation into the presence of Carlos Ramón González at a party at the Colombian embassy in Nicaragua

The decision comes just weeks after in Doha, capital of Qatar, representatives of the Petro government and the self-proclaimed Gaitanista Army of Colombia met on December 5 to advance exploratory talks. The objective: to achieve progressive disarmament and pacify the areas where this structure operates, which has approximately 7,000 combatants distributed in multiple departments.

But now everything gets complicated. The “terrorist” label not only hinders diplomatic channels, but also generates international pressure on Colombia and legally limits any formal approach with the group.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio was clear: “We will continue to use all available instruments to stop the violence and terror of transnational cartels.”

The statement comes after US military operations in Caribbean and Pacific waters that left 95 dead in clashes related to drug trafficking routes.

More news from Colombia