ABSTRACT
The challenge facing the Colombian state is a highly sophisticated criminal network of several large-scale criminal drug-trafficking organisations either cooperating or fighting for the control of territories and drug-trafficking routes. In 2018, the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia continued in Colombia. Criminal organisations in Colombia not only are in conflict with the state security forces but also fight each other for control of drug-trafficking territories and routes. The Colombian armed forces consist of the National Army of Colombia, the Navy, the Air Force and the Naval Infantry, which combined have 470,634 active personnel. The Colombian Army has been the main military branch involved in the armed conflicts and in 2018 had 240,000 active personnel. The Gulf Clan remains one of the most powerful organised-crime groups in Colombia, but has suffered several setbacks, with Otoniel’s command circle decimated by arrests or deaths.
