In Colombia, President Ivan Duque promised new returns for the United States and responded to the actions of one of the country’s most powerful criminal networks as authorities faced an armed strike that spanned 11 regions, resulting in multiple fatalities and widespread economic disruption. Duque asserted that the people of public power would showcase strength and unity in the face of the crisis.
The AGC, the Gulf Clan, known as the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, traces its roots to far right paramilitary activity from past decades. The group warned that violence and intimidation against civilians were a response to its leadership being pursued abroad, with Dairo Antonio Usuga, popularly known as Otoniel, on trial in a New York court.
Threats from the AGC affected nearly 180 municipalities, with paralysis in some areas and hundreds of aggressive actions, including ambushes against security forces, arson against buses, and orders to close businesses and schools. One image circulating in media linked a captured man to the broader impact, illustrating how residents faced curfews and coercion during the unrest.
The AGC’s force was expected to peak on a Tuesday night, shaping political debate amid the run up to the May 29 elections. Gustavo Petro, from the Historical Pact coalition, led polls, followed by right-leaning candidate Federico Gutiérrez.
Duque announced compliance with the capture and extradition of Otoniel and signaled more extraditions to come. In the near term, the organization was said to be vulnerable against the backdrop of ongoing operations. Public power forces pledged continued action against the group, accompanied by a brief video message. The post was later shared by the president on social media as a demonstration of momentum.
The Ministry of National Defense reported relatively low civilian and police casualties in the operations that began on May 6. The Office of the Ombudsman, however, has challenged those figures, suggesting a higher toll. A regional government official from Antioquia called for a sustained, visible presence of security forces against drug factions.
a show of strength
Duque claimed that since Otoniel’s capture, over 300 arrests had been executed, assets valued in the tens of tons of illicit cocaine reportedly seized, and a continued offensive against the group’s regional structures was planned. He emphasized ongoing asset seizures and the dismantling of the organization as a sign of progress.
Among political analysts, opinions diverged about the effectiveness of the measures. Some argued the blockade by armed factions underscored the group’s resilience, challenging Bogotá’s narrative that the drug trade had been sufficiently contained in those areas. Several outlets describe the Gulf Clan as more than a criminal network, suggesting it remains a significant paramilitary force. Officials have acknowledged that the group can be seen as an heir to older paramilitary movements, with thousands of members and a broad regional reach.
In commentary, Alfredo Molano Jimeno, a columnist for El Espectador, described the strike as a reminder of past levels of violence and a potent display of power in response to the extradition process. He suggested that the dynamics of the paramilitary project remain alive and influential, with power potentially surpassing historical figures in the movement’s history. This perspective highlights tensions between state efforts and the entrenched networks that still operate across the country. The broader implication is a country grappling with the endurance of paramilitary influence even as authorities pursue leadership figures abroad.