Clan del Golfo presence in Colombia and Panama

In early July 2026 Colombian security forces conducted a joint operation in the municipality of Zaragoza, Antioquia, arresting two members of the Uldar Cardona Rueda sub‑structure of the Clan del Golfo. The raid yielded more than 180 doses of illegal narcotics, cash and evidence linking the suspects to extortion and micro‑trafficking in the Bajo Cauca region, underscoring the group's active criminal network within Colombia.

Later in July, Panama’s Minister of Public Security, Frank Ábrego, publicly stated that there is no evidence the Colombian Clan del Golfo operates in Panama, despite speculation in Colombian media and comments from Colombia’s president‑elect about possible displacement of members across the Darién border. Panama continues to coordinate with Colombian authorities and monitor Colombian‑origin financial flows, while planning to strengthen security measures along its frontier.

Together, the reports illustrate ongoing regional attention to Clan del Golfo, with Colombian law‑enforcement actions confirming its presence domestically and Panamanian officials denying any confirmed extension of the group’s activities across the border.