Eight people, including a senior leader of Colombia's largest criminal gang, the Gulf Clan, have been killed in an air strike carried out by the country's armed forces. President Abelardo de la Espriella stated he personally authorised the bombing, which targeted the Gulf Clan in the province of Antioquia, in north-west Colombia.
Among those killed was Haminton Mosquera, described by the President as a senior member of the crime gang and one of 10 "priority targets" for Colombia's security forces. President de la Espriella said Mosquera was suspected of ordering attacks against security forces, including the murder of a police officer in Tarazá last year.
The Gulf Clan has been involved in criminal activities for decades, primarily trafficking cocaine to the US and Europe, as well as illegal mining and people smuggling. The US designated the group a Foreign Terrorist Organisation last year.
President de la Espriella, who was elected in June on a promise to crack down on criminal gangs, stated on X that "the offensive won't stop" and vowed to regain control of areas held by such organisations.