2.1.6. Colombian paramilitary successor groups

The Gaitanista Self‑Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC, Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia), also known as the Gulf Clan (Clan del Golfo), Urabeños or Gaitanista Army of Colombia (EGC, Ejército Gaitanista de Colombia), emerged from the demobilisation of Colombia’s paramilitary movement and have since become the country’s dominant criminal organisation.506 The AGC is involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and illegal mining.507

The group operates through a hybrid organisational model in which roughly one‑third of local cells are directly controlled by the leadership based in Urabá, Antioquia department, while the remaining cells consist of local criminal groups that operate under the AGC name.508 These affiliated groups are expected to provide services or follow strategic directives when required.509 The AGC’s model relies on financially self‑sufficient local cells, many of which have diversified beyond drug trafficking into illegal mining, extortion, migrant smuggling, and micro‑trafficking, while also taxing or overseeing other criminal activities within their territories.510

The AGC has also attempted to expand its influence into criminal economies along the Colombia–Venezuela border.511 However, the strength of rival armed actors, particularly the ELN and FARC dissident factions, has prevented the organisation from gaining significant territorial control in the area.512 Briceño-León similarly indicated that the AGC is not very strong along the border between Colombia and Venezuela due to the control exerted by the ELN; however, it has some presence in the state of Táchira where it has established alliances with local criminal gangs.513