All nine people on board were killed when a military helicopter crashed in northern Colombia. The Mi-17 helicopter crashed near the town of Arenal in the Bolivar department, the army said on Monday.
“I regret the death of the nine soldiers in the military helicopter that was supposed to deliver supplies to troops in the battle against the Gulf clan in the south of Bolívar,” President Gustavo Petro wrote on the news platform X (formerly Twitter).
The clan is said to have 6,000 men under arms
The “Clan del Golfo” (Golf Clan) is the most powerful criminal organization in Colombia. The crime syndicate mainly recruits its members from former right-wing paramilitaries and is said to have approximately 6,000 men under arms.
Drugs, murders, protection fraud
In addition to drug trafficking, the Gulf clan is involved in illegal mining and protection fraud and is responsible for numerous murders and evictions. Last year, former cartel boss Dairo Antonio Úsuga alias “Otoniel” was sentenced to 45 years in prison in the US.
The country is the largest producer of cocaine
In Colombia, criminal gangs make almost as much money from illegal mining as from the cocaine trade. The country is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, with the Gulf clan said to be responsible for 30 to 60 percent of drug exports.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
