Colombian President Gustavo Petro reveals details of the “pistol plan” that has claimed the lives of 27 police officers and soldiers, linking the crimes to the Clan del Golfo. He announces an unrelenting offensive and an international alliance to dismantle the criminal structure.

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President Gustavo Petro broke his silence on April 29 to denounce the murder of 27 members of Colombia’s public forces in a campaign orchestrated by the Clan del Golfo. The killings, labeled the “pistol plan,” reflect a violent escalation by armed groups operating in multiple regions of the country.

Petro: “This is the Systematic Murder of the People’s Children”

In statements posted on his X account, the president linked the attacks to retaliation by the Clan del Golfo following the capture of several of its leaders. “They have killed 27 police officers and soldiers under the ‘pistol plan.’ This is the systematic murder of the people’s children,” he asserted, emphasizing the political nature of the violence.

El Clan de Golfo, como respuesta a la caída de varios de sus jefes ha decidio matar hijos del pueblo.

Lleva 27 policías y mlitares asesinados bajo plan pistola. Es un asesinato sistemático de hijos del pueblo.

Nosotros no vamos a retroceder, arreciaramos la ofensiva contra el…

— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) April 29, 2025

The text reads: The Gulf Clan, in response to the fall of several of its leaders, has decided to kill the children of the people.
They have murdered 27 police officers and soldiers under the ‘pistol plan.’ This is the systematic murder of the people’s children.

Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez detailed that the attacks replicate the modus operandi of 1980s drug cartels: targeted assassinations, community infiltration, and territorial division. The Clan del Golfo controls the northwest, the ELN operates in Norte de Santander.

Petro published the names of the 15 police officers and 12 soldiers killed, including dates, locations, and circumstances of the crimes. Notable cases include Sgt. Díaz Pérez (Carepa) and Pvt. Feria Mercado (Simití), murdered during operations or while on leave.

State Offensive: “We Will Reach as Far as Dubai”

The government announced a dual strategy: intensifying military operations and applying international pressure on the Clan’s foreign allies. “Either they reform under the law, or we will build a global alliance to destroy them,” Petro warned, specifically mentioning connections in the United Arab Emirates.

Petro’s plan, aligned with his “Colombia, World Power of Life” program, prioritizes institutional reform to disentangle the armed forces from corrupt practices and human rights violations. However, the current escalation requires tactical adjustments without abandoning the focus on citizen security.

While the government insists on its policy of judicial surrender for armed groups, experts question the feasibility of simultaneous dialogues with multiple actors. The massacre of security forces highlights the gap between peace rhetoric and the reality of armed conflict.

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