Eight suspected members of Colombia’s Gulf Clan criminal organization have been killed in a military air strike in the north-western department of Antioquia, according to the Colombian government.
The operation, known as Operation Nehemiah, took place in a rural area of Tarazá municipality, in the Bajo Cauca region. It targeted a unit of the group identified by authorities as the Manuel Alexander Ariza Gutiérrez substructure.
President Abelardo de la Espriella announced the results on Wednesday, 11 November, saying that eight members of the organization had been killed.
Among those reportedly killed was Haminton Mosquera, known by the alias Negro Perea, whom the government described as the principal commander of the targeted unit.
Authorities had placed him among the country's priority criminal targets and offered a reward of up to 2.018 billion Colombian pesos for information leading to his capture.
The government alleged that Mosquera had been involved in organizing killings, forced displacement and attacks against security forces in the region. These allegations have been presented by Colombian authorities and have not been independently established in court.
Weapons and explosives seized
According to the government's account, the operation involved Colombia's army, intelligence support from the national police and assistance from the Colombian Air Force.
Security forces reportedly recovered five rifles, two pistols, four anti-personnel mines and communications equipment. Authorities also said a camp used by the armed group had been destroyed.
The operation was directed against a regional structure of the Gulf Clan, which has maintained an armed presence in parts of Colombia and has been linked by authorities to drug trafficking and other organized criminal activities.
The government said the military campaign would continue as part of efforts to weaken the group's leadership and operational capacity.
The Gulf Clan's influence in Colombia
The Gulf Clan, also known as the Gaitanist Self-Defence Forces of Colombia, is one of the country's most powerful criminal organizations. Its activities have included cocaine trafficking, extortion and territorial disputes with rival armed groups.
The organization has been a major challenge for successive Colombian governments seeking to restore security in areas affected by decades of armed conflict.
Its presence in regions such as Antioquia has contributed to violence, displacement and insecurity for local communities.
The United States designated the group a foreign terrorist organisation in December 2025, citing its involvement in drug trafficking and violence.
Government continues military offensive
The Colombian government has presented Operation Nehemiah as part of a wider effort to target senior figures in organized armed groups.
The latest strike is also significant because of the reported death of a commander considered a high-priority target by the authorities.
However, the government’s announcement does not by itself establish whether the operation will significantly weaken the Gulf Clan's wider network.
The organisation's influence extends beyond individual commanders, and its ability to maintain operations will depend on whether authorities can disrupt its leadership, finances and territorial presence.
For communities in Antioquia, the central concern remains whether military operations will translate into lasting improvements in safety and a reduction in violence.
