Latest News

As Fighting Engulfs Briceño, Colombia, Schools Forced to Close

By The City Paper Staff - January 26, 2026

The school year had barely begun when gunfire forced children in rural northern Colombia to cower under their desks in fear and silence. On the same day students were returning to classrooms after the Christmas and New Year holidays, fighting between illegal armed groups erupted near Briceño, in the northeast of Antioquia. By nightfall, schools […]

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Petro claims ‘Dubai is the new Miami for narcos’ amid Gulf Clan attacks

By The City Paper Staff - May 6, 2025

Colombian President Gustavo Petro defended his security policy amid a surge in violence that has left 27 officers dead. Downplaying fears of collapse, Petro blamed international drug networks and claimed “Dubai is the new Miami for narcos.” Critics warn his “total peace” strategy is faltering as attacks against the police escalate.

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Petro to announce security measures as Gulf Clan escalates violence across Colombia

By The City Paper Staff - May 5, 2025

Colombian President Gustavo Petro will announce new security measures after 27 soldiers and police were killed by the Gulf Clan. The attacks mark a sharp escalation in violence as the drugs trafficking cartel targets soldiers and police officers with “pistol plan”.

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U.S and UK intel lead Colombian Police to alias “Terror” of Gulf Clan

By The City Paper Staff - February 25, 2025

Colombia’s National Police, backed with U.S. and U.K. intelligence, killed Gulf Clan leader Oliverio Isaza Gómez, alias “Terror,” in Antioquia. The raid dealt a major blow to drug trafficking and organized crime, disrupting the clan’s expansion in Magdalena Medio.

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U.S. to designate Colombia’s Gulf Clan as a Terrorist Organization

By The City Paper Staff - February 13, 2025

The Trump administration designates eight Latin American gangs, including Colombia’s Gulf Clan, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, escalating U.S. counterterrorism efforts against narcotrafficking, human smuggling, and organized crime in the Western Hemisphere.

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UK citizen Christopher Neil arrested in Medellín with ties to Gulf Clan

By The City Paper Staff - December 13, 2024

UK citizen Christopher Neil was wanted on an INTERPOL red notice and is accused of orchestrating major cocaine shipments to the United Kingdom and engaging in extensive money laundering operations.

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Gulf Clan ready to “take control” of Quibdó in Colombia’s Chocó

By The City Paper Staff - September 4, 2024

In a dire announcement from Colombia’s High Peace Commissioner Otty Patiño, the Gulf Clan is ready to “take control” of the departmental capital of Chocó, Quibdó.

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UN report warns governance in Colombia at risk from armed groups

By The City Paper Staff - February 29, 2024

Colombia grapples with a disturbing surge in human rights abuses as latest UN report reveals 98 massacres in 2023 and 6.5% increase over previous year. Surge in violence poses dire threats to communities and vulnerable populations.

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Colombia breaks records in coca crop and cocaine production

By The City Paper Staff - September 12, 2023

Colombia has reached unprecedented figures in the cultivation of coca plants and cocaine production according to the annual report published by the United Nations.

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Colombian military quells miners’ strike in the Bajo Cauca

By The City Paper Staff - March 13, 2023

Colombia’s Security Forces began clearing roads of debris in northeastern Antioquia after a violent weekend in which one person was killed and 25 injured.

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