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Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - BOGOTA — A senior leader of Colombia's largest criminal gang, the Gulf Clan, is among eight people killed in an air strike carried out by the country's armed forces, according to President Abelardo de la Espriella.
De la Espriella said he had personally authorised the bombing targeting the Gulf Clan in the province of Antioquia, in northwest Colombia.
He added that Haminton Mosquera, whom he described as a senior member of the crime gang and one of 10 "priority targets" for Colombia's security forces, had been "brought down".
Following the bombing, authorities also seized seven rifles and explosive devices adapted for unmanned aircraft, and neutralized three camp areas used by that organization in the Catatumbo region.
When presenting the results of that operation, De la Espriella surprised everyone by appearing dressed in a Colombian Army camouflage uniform and with a pistol at his waist.
De la Espriella was elected in June after campaigning on a promise to crack down on Colombia's powerful criminal gangs, including by launching air strikes.
But criminals have also been responding, in a clear challenge to the actions of De la Espriella’s government. They continue launching drones against military facilities and the civilian population. They have also threatened and attacked media outlets
In a post on X, De la Espriella said that Mosquera was suspected of having ordered attacks against the security forces, including the murder of a police officer in the municipality of Tarazá last year.
The Gulf Clan has been engaging in criminal activities for decades, mainly trafficking cocaine from Colombia to destinations in the US and Europe but also illegal mining and people smuggling.
The US added it to its list of Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs) last year.
In his post, President de la Espriella said that "the offensive won't stop" and vowed to regain control of areas currently controlled by criminal organisations such as the Gulf Clan.
While his offensive against criminal gangs has been welcomed by many living in areas where extortion and gang violence are rampant, de la Espriella has faced criticism for the way he has made some of his announcements on security.
Less than a month after taking office, he published a video showing him walking among 23 body bags containing the remains of 23 people killed in an air strike on a suspected guerrilla camp.
On Wednesday, he shared a photo in which he can be seen writing his campaign slogan, "Welcome to the miracle homeland" on a bomb.
He has also defended his decision to wear an army uniform at a recent event in Cúcuta at which he confronted a detainee suspected of being a Farc rebel.
"What did you make of the bomb I sent you, signed by me?," the president can be heard asking the man.
He later told journalists that he wore the uniform because "I am a soldier of the homeland. That's why I dress like a soldier, because I came to serve Colombia. Because I honour the heroes, police officers and military."
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