Gang Deconstruction

The group also engages in extortion, illegal mining, human trafficking, forced
displacements and murder.
While it was first created in the north of Colombia, in the Gulf of Urabá - hence its
names - it has expanded into many of Colombia's provinces and beyond.
But in recent months its number two and 34 other key figures have been killed or
arrested in a joint police and military operation.
With his deputy killed and the security forces closing in, the gang's leader, known as
Otoniel, announced in September that he was willing to surrender.
The government is currently working on a legal framework for members of criminal
gangs to collectively turn themselves in.
In a statement, the gang said that even though that legal framework was not in place yet
the gang "remained committed to the efforts which will allow us to contribute to a total,
lasting and integral peace".
Last year, Colombia's largest rebel group, the Farc, signed a peace deal with the
government and negotiators are currently holding talks with the second-largest guerrilla
group, the National Liberation Army.
Police warn that some areas formerly under the control of the rebel groups have been
taken over by criminal groups such as the Urabeños and that their fight for territory is
driving violence up.
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Colombia's Gulf Clan Says It Is Ready to Surrender
BBC News | 6 September 2017
One of Colombia's most powerful drug gangs, the Gulf Clan, has said it wishes to
submit itself to justice.
President Juan Manuel Santos said that he had authorised justice officials to look at the
request.
Mr Santos said more than 1,500 members of the gang had been arrested in the last few
months and its second-in-command had been killed.
The gang's leader, known as Otoniel, has told the president he would hand himself in.
Mr Santos said he had warned the group that its members would not get special
treatment.
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