Colombia military air strike kills eight Gulf Clan gang members in Antioquia

A suspected gang leader considered a "priority target" was among those killed, the Colombian president says.

Nov 12, 2026, 18:18 UTC

Military helicopter flying over dense jungle canopy in Antioquia, Colombia. — REAL NEWS HUB

Eight individuals lost their lives in an aerial bombardment conducted by Colombia's military against the Gulf Clan, according to an announcement by President Abelardo de la Espriella. The military operation took place in the north-western department of Antioquia.

Among those killed in the raid was Haminton Mosquera, identified by authorities as a high-ranking figure within the criminal network and designated as one of ten priority targets pursued by national security forces. De la Espriella stated that he directly sanctioned the military operation.

Mosquera was accused of orchestrating assaults against state personnel, including the fatal shooting of a police officer in the municipality of Tarazá last year. Writing on social media platform X, the president affirmed that the military campaign would persist, declaring an intention to reclaim territories held by criminal syndicates.

The Gulf Clan is considered the largest criminal syndicate in Colombia, maintaining operations spanning decades. Its revenue streams include international cocaine trafficking routed primarily to North America and Europe, alongside illicit mining ventures and migrant smuggling. The United States designated the syndicate as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation last year.

Elected in June following a campaign centred on aggressive security measures and aerial strikes against criminal factions, de la Espriella has pursued an intensified push against armed groups. Although the crackdowns have garnered support among communities affected by rampant extortion and violence, his communications strategy has attracted scrutiny.

Shortly after assuming the presidency, de la Espriella released footage of himself walking past 23 body bags following an air operation against an alleged guerrilla encampment. In a more recent post, he displayed an image of himself scrawling his campaign catchphrase across an aerial bomb.

The president has also drawn attention for donning military attire during public appearances, including an encounter in Cúcuta where he addressed an alleged Farc rebel in custody. When questioned by journalists regarding his use of military dress, de la Espriella described himself as a soldier serving the nation and paying tribute to police and armed forces personnel.

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