In Colombia, the Gulf Clan, also known as the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces, is identified as the country’s principal criminal gang. Reports on Friday stated that they assassinated social leader Lenin Guerra and that officials in the northwest Antioquia department were investigating the incident.
The High Commissioner for Peace condemned the murder of Lenin Guerra Castro and noted the disappearance of his partner Yuliana Galeano Luján, who was released hours later. Guerra and Galeano, prominent figures in the municipalities of Remedios, were abducted by the Gulf Clan in Segovia. The government described the event as a new action by the Gulf Clan against civilians.
For more than three decades, residents have grappled with violence that shattered communities, ruined dreams, and disrupted life plans. Calls were made for clear accountability and for the responsible authorities to act with integrity to address these irreparable harms and crimes against life attributed to local actors. A ceasefire had previously been declared by some factions amid ongoing discussions.
The Gulf Clan announced on August 7 that it had unilaterally halted “aggressive hostilities” and expressed an interest in pursuing peaceful paths in response to a new political landscape that emerged with the inauguration of a leftist president in Colombia. The group signaled intent to continue peace talks, indicating openness to dialogue not only with the National Liberation Army but also with other armed groups operating in the region.
Regarding the Gulf Clan, which emerged after the demobilization of Colombia’s paramilitary United Self-Defense Forces, the president spoke of voluntary submission to justice. He drew a distinction between groups such as the ELN and other organizations that pursue rebellion or have distinct ideologies, noting the uniqueness of each group’s stance.
Since the extradition of Dairo Antonio Úsuga, known as Otoniel, last May, the Gulf Clan has pursued campaigns framed as retaliation. The developments in the country since then have attracted international attention and commentary.
denial of guilt
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia expressed sorrow over the crime and welcomed the report that Galeano remained free and alive. The OHCHR called for continued investigation, prosecution, and punishment of acts of violence and urged measures to protect defenders, leaders, and society at large. [citation: OHCHR Colombia]
The German Embassy in Colombia characterized the killing as an act of cowardice. In a statement issued on social media, the mission expressed condolences to Guerra’s family and underscored a firm rejection of violence as a path forward. [citation: German Embassy Colombia]
According to the Ombudsman Office, between January 1 and July 31 of the current year there were 122 reported murders of social leaders and human rights defenders. This figure marks an increase compared with the same period in prior years, including 32 more homicides than in 2021, when 90 were recorded, and 16 more than in 2020, when 106 were registered in the same timeframe. [citation: Ombudsman Office report]