Overview
- The State Department named the group an FTO and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, with the notice posted on U.S. Treasury and a statement released by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
- Designation triggers asset freezes, travel bans, and terrorism charges for material support, while OFAC warns non‑U.S. persons and foreign banks of potential penalties for prohibited dealings.
- U.S. officials describe the organization as a cocaine‑funded militia responsible for attacks on officials and civilians, operating across much of Colombia and controlling key smuggling routes through the Darién Gap.
- Colombian intelligence and recent reporting say the group has rebuilt under Jobanis ‘Chiquito Malo’ Ávila to roughly 9,000–10,000 members and engages in extortion, illegal mining, and migrant trafficking.
- The action lands as President Gustavo Petro pursues Doha talks under his Total Peace agenda, raising legal and diplomatic hurdles for negotiations following recent U.S. maritime strikes that killed eight near Colombia’s Pacific coast.