Colombia kills Gulf Clan commander in eighth airstrike under new president

A Colombian military airstrike in the remote municipality of Tarazá, Antioquia, killed eight members of the Gulf Clan on Tuesday, including Haminton Mosquera — alias 'Negro Perea' — a commander the government had placed on its list of ten priority targets and for whose capture authorities had offered up to 2.018 billion Colombian pesos, roughly US$615,000. President Abelardo de la Espriella announced the result on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, calling it the eighth bombing he has ordered since taking office in August.

The preliminary result: eight neutralized, including Haminton Mosquera, alias 'Negro Perea,' the primary leader of this structure, who had a criminal history spanning more than 20 years.— Abelardo de la Espriella, President of Colombia

The operation, code-named Nehemías, was carried out by the Colombian Army with intelligence from the National Police and support from the Air Force, according to the president's post on X. Among the items recovered from the destroyed camp were five rifles, two pistols, four anti-personnel mines and communications equipment. De la Espriella said he personally authorised the strike on 10 November.

Mosquera led the 'Manuel Alexander Ariza Gutiérrrez' unit of the Gulf Clan and reported directly to a boss known as 'Gonzalito,' according to the president. Charges against him included directing killings and forced displacement, mounting attacks on security forces, and responsibility for the 2025 killing of a police patrolman in Tarazá.

I warn the leaders of these organizations: you will find no place to hide or peace as long as you continue to murder, extort, and terrorize Colombians.— Abelardo de la Espriella, President of Colombia

The Gulf Clan — also known as the Clan del Golfo — is Colombia's largest criminal gang, primarily trafficking cocaine to the United States and Europe while also engaging in illegal mining and people smuggling, according to latin-american.news. In December 2025, the US State Department added it to its list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

Eight airstrikes in fewer than 100 days marks an aggressive tempo. De la Espriella was elected in June 2026 after campaigning explicitly on a promise to launch airstrikes against Colombia's powerful criminal organisations, and he has vowed, according to latin-american.news, that 'the offensive won't stop.'

The campaign has drawn both support and criticism. Residents in areas plagued by extortion and gang violence have welcomed the pressure on armed groups. How the president has chosen to publicise these operations, however, has come under scrutiny: within his first month in office, he released footage of himself walking past 23 body bags left by an earlier strike on a suspected guerrilla camp, according to latin-american.news. On Wednesday, he posted a photo showing him inscribing his campaign slogan — 'Welcome to the miracle homeland' — on a bomb.

I am a soldier of the homeland. That's why I dress like a soldier, because I came to serve Colombia. Because I honour the heroes, police officers and military.— Abelardo de la Espriella, President of Colombia

The names of the seven other people killed in the Tarazá strike have not been made public, and no independent body has confirmed the death toll or the identities of the dead. Whether any of those killed were civilians or minors also remains unknown. Two things to watch, according to riotimesonline.com, are whether officials publish the identities of all the dead and whether the Gulf Clan responds with attacks on soldiers or police.

Why it matters — The strike illustrates how Colombia's new government is using sustained airpower against a US-designated terrorist organisation, raising questions about accountability for casualties and whether the campaign will prompt retaliation against security forces.

Reported by riotimesonline.com, english.news.cn, latin-american.news