Colombian Security Forces Facing Coordinated Attacks From Mafia Groups As President’s “Total Peace” Falters

Colombia is  facing another dark chapter in its conflict with armed groups as the mafia known as the ‘Clan del Golfo‘ unleashes a wave of violence targeting members of the police force and military in retaliation for state actions against organized crime. This resurgence of the so-called ‘Plan Pistola’, a violent tactic rooted in the era of Pablo Escobar, has reignited national concern over the safety of police and the army.

The wave of murders appears to be a direct response to the killing of José Miguel Demoya Hernández, alias ‘Chirimoya’, a commander of the ‘Clan del Golfo’, who died in a military operation on April 4 in Córdoba. His unit, estimated to include more than 2,000 members, drew profits from drug trafficking, extortion, and illegal gold mining—particularly in the region of southern Bolívar, where attacks on the Public Force have intensified. On April 15 a string of targeted killings and attempted attacks against military and police members started. Hitmen are reportedly being paid between $2 to $3 million COP ($450 to $700 USD as of the date of publication) for each assassination, and so far, the violence has claimed the lives of at least 19 police officers and 4 soldiers.

In response, the Colombian government has launched a comprehensive counteroffensive. In his recent declarations to the media, Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez Suárez announced rewards of up to $200 million COP (around $47,000 USD as of the date of publication) for information that could help prevent further attacks. The current leader of the ‘Clan del Golfo’, Jobanis de Jesús Ávila Villadiego, alias ‘Chiquito Malo’, is considered the primary target of the authorities. He is a former paramilitary fighter that assumed control of the group after the extradition of ‘Otoniel’ and now leads this robust criminal enterprise of more than 8,000 members.

To safeguard the military and police forces, the Ministry of Defense has issued a circular with eight self-protection guidelines. These include dressing in civilian clothes when off duty, avoiding routine travel patterns, staying alert to suspicious activity, and refraining from using public transport in uniform. Minister Sánchez Suárez also warned in an interview with national daily El Tiempo about possible infiltration within the military and police forces.

“These groups have managed to infiltrate the military forces and the National Police, which means there are criminals within our organization, and the full force of the law is against them. Most likely, in a few days, several of them will be captured,” he told the newspaper.

Facing the threat, state forces have mounted a strong counterattack. According to the latest press release from the Ministry of Defense, since mid-April, authorities have arrested 217 people linked to the ‘Clan del Golfo’ and confiscated 123 firearms, over 15,000 bullets, and 11 explosive devices.

However, even if the response shows a coordinated and determined effort by the state to push back against organized crime and protect those who serve, there are growing concerns that illegal armed groups are regaining ground, exposing the challenges the current government faces in asserting full control over Colombian territory.

Headline photo: Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez Suárez (Photo: MinDefensa)