Colombia: Deadly Clan del Golfo attack in Antioquia April 11

Event

Suspected members of the Clan del Golfo crime syndicate ambushed a group of police officers on patrol in the northwestern municipality of San Pedro de Urabá (Antioquia department) on Wednesday, April 11. At least eight officers were killed in the assault, which involved explosives. Three “terrorists” were also killed. A joint military-police operation has been launched in the area to track down those responsible for the attack.

Context

The Clan del Golfo - also referred to as the AGC (Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia) - is considered the largest drug trafficking organization in Colombia today. The group has a significant presence in the northwest of the country, home to major drug trafficking routes. Colombia’s armed forces have been involved in an intense campaign against the cartel over the past two years; according to estimates, the group’s size has been reduced to some 2000-3000 members (down from 4000).

Paramilitary crime organizations (BACRIM) such as the Clan del Golfo have replaced leftist guerrillas as the most serious armed threat in Colombia. These groups have moved into territory left by the demobilized FARC guerilla group, leading to violent turf wars as well as assassinations of local landowners and community leaders.

Advice

Due to the presence of a number of armed groups - including drug cartels, right-wing militias, and local gangs, and the ELN guerilla group - some Western governments advise against travel to various regions of the country, including parts of Antioquia.