US designates Colombia's Clan del Golfo as a terrorist organization, citing narcotics trafficking

By Fox News · Fox News

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 significantly 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. MADURO SINGS, DANCES AND THREATENS TO 'SMASH THE TEETH' OF THE 'NORTH AMERICAN EMPIRE' "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." US SET TO SEIZE TENS OF MILLIONS IN VENEZUELAN OIL AFTER TANKER INTERCEPTION, WHITE HOUSE SAYS The group, also known as the Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, has been involved in criminal activities for well over a decade. It primarily operates in Colombia, known as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, and traffics drugs across borders, including into the United States. "The United States will continue to use all available tools to protect our nation and stop the campaigns of violence and terror committed by international cartels and transnational criminal organizations," Rubio added. "We are committed to denying funding and resources to these terrorists." The designation underscores the group’s threat…