BOGOTA, Colombia – The U.S. State Department on Tuesday classified another Latin American drug cartel as a foreign terrorist organization. The designation prompts increased sanctions and can open the possibility of potential military action against them.
According to Colombian newspaper El Tiempo, alongside Breitbart News, the State Department has branded the Clan del Golfo as a Specifically Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The label imposes sanctions on members and leaders of the crime organization.
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that gave the State Department the authority to easily categorize drug cartels and organized crime groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and SDGTs.
The proclamation states that “international cartels constitute a national-security threat beyond that posed by traditional organized crime,” which necessitates expanded resources for American officials to combat.
In August, President Trump additionally directed the Pentagon to explore options for the possible use of U.S. military force against drug cartels under the brands of FTOs and SDGTs.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio relayed the message. Secretary Rubio addressed the group as 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.”
This year, the U.S. has carried out a minimum of 22 attacks on alleged drug boats. These attacks in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific near Venezuela have left more than 80 people dead.
Military expansion continues along the Caribbean in an effort to combat the drug war against Venezuela. Along with the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker and an executive order classifying fentanyl as WMDs, Trump presents a stark warning to the Colombian leader, Gustavo Petro.
While speaking to reporters on December 10, Trump asserted, “better wise up or he’ll be next. He’ll be next soon. I hope he’s listening he’s going to be next.”
