The US government is taking strong action against drugs. The Treasury Department has named Colombia's biggest criminal group, Clan del Golfo, as a terrorist group. This happened soon after President Trump signed an order. The order calls fentanyl a "weapon of mass destruction." These steps show a tough plan against drug crime and violence. They also show a strong promise to fight crime groups. These groups hurt stability in Latin America. They also threaten US national security.
Clan del Golfo is also known as AGC. It is Colombia's largest cocaine group. It has thousands of members. They work in many parts of Colombia. The group mostly sells cocaine. However, they also smuggle people. They do this through the dangerous Darién Gap jungle. This jungle connects Colombia to Central America.
US officials say this action targets the group's crimes. It also targets their violent acts. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke about the group. He said they attack Colombian officials. They also attack police and soldiers. Innocent people are also hurt. He called Clan del Golfo a "violent and powerful criminal organisation." He said cocaine sales are their main money. They use this money for violence.
The timing of this decision is important. It comes after US military strikes. These strikes were against boats carrying drugs. The US Southern Command reported new operations. Three boats near Colombia's coast were hit. Eight people died. These strikes are part of a bigger plan. They show the US is ready to use force. However, Colombia's President Gustavo Petro is not happy. He called the US strikes "murder."
These US actions have big effects. Naming Clan del Golfo as a terrorist group helps the US. It gives them more power to stop the group's money. It also helps them arrest members. Calling fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction is also important. It shows the US is focused on the opioid crisis. This crisis hurts many people in the US. The US has also named other groups before. They named cartels in Mexico and Venezuela. These actions show a strong plan. However, they might cause problems with other countries.