Comes as the Trump administration pressures Colombia’s government to crack down on cocaine production.
US designates Colombia’s largest drug gang as terror group
Designating “Clan del Golfo” as a terrorist organization comes as the Trump administration pressures Colombia’s government to crack down on cocaine production.
Police handle bricks of cocaine after a drug seizure in Bogota on September 8, 2016
The Clan del Golfo is known to be heavily involved in cocaine trafficking (FILE: September 8, 2016)Image: Fernando Vergara/AP Photo/picture alliance
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The United States on Tuesday designated Colombia’s largest armed drug-trafficking group, “Clan del Golfo,” as a terrorist organization.
Since taking office, US President Donald Trump has classified numerous gangs and cartels based in Latin America as terrorist organizations, as his administration seeks to broaden the legal means available to go after these groups.
“Clan del Golfo is a violent and powerful criminal organization with thousands of members,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement posted on the State Department website.
“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,” the statement said.
