Four found dead after Clan del Golfo abduction in Colombia

The bodies of four individuals who went missing on January 5 in the municipalities of Amalfi, Vegachí, and Remedios have been discovered, authorities announced.

The victims were illegally detained on the night of January 4 by members of the Jorge Iván Arboleda Garcés unit of the notorious Gulf Clan (Clan del Golfo), Caliber.Az reports, citing El Colombiano.

The individuals were taken from rural areas in Amalfi and Remedios to remote locations, where they were killed under orders from the gang’s local leader, known by the aliases “Matías” or “Chuzo.”

The bodies were recovered on the morning of January 6 at separate sites.

The Antioquia police commander stated that the victims were suspected of collaborating with rival criminal groups. He added that two of the deceased had prior criminal records, one for illegal firearms possession and the other for minor drug trafficking.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the killings and are working to identify all gang members involved. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges posed by organised crime in northeastern Antioquia, where gang activity continues to threaten public safety and security.

The Clan del Golfo is Colombia's largest and most powerful drug trafficking organisation, with an estimated 7,000–9,000 members. It controls significant portions of drug routes, illegal gold mining, extortion, and migrant smuggling. In Antioquia, it has presence in over half the municipalities, often clashing with rivals like the ELN, FARC dissidents (EMC), and local groups over territorial control, particularly gold-rich areas in the Northeast (including Amalfi, Vegachí, Remedios, Segovia, and Yalí).

The substructure Jorge Iván Arboleda Garcés is one of the most violent in the region, historically involved in homicides, extortion, and disputes.

By Khagan Isayev