Colombian Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison
Dairo Antonio Úsuga David, also known as Otoniel, was sentenced to 45 years in prison by a judge in Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday. Úsuga, described by prosecutors as “the most violent and significant” Colombian drug trafficker since Pablo Escobar, pleaded guilty to running the Gulf Clan, a paramilitary group that operates as a huge cartel. The group used extreme violence to control parts of Colombia and silence rivals and law enforcement officers.
Prosecutors stated that Úsuga committed “incalculable acts of violence against law enforcement, military personnel, and civilians.” Francisco J. Navarro, a prosecutor, called Úsuga Colombia’s most dangerous narco-trafficker of the century and referred to him as the “supreme leader” of the Gulf Clan, which ruled “violently and without mercy.” Several Colombian government representatives were present during the sentencing.
Úsuga was captured by the Colombian military in 2021, and then-President Iván Duque compared his arrest to the fall of Pablo Escobar in the 1990s. However, new leaders have emerged to take Úsuga’s place, and the Gulf Clan continues to control vast territories near the border with Panama and on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts.
The charges against Úsuga included conspiracy to ship large quantities of cocaine north by land and sea. His lawyers argued that he had accepted responsibility for his crimes but claimed that he had been a child soldier in Colombia’s civil war.
Before the sentencing, Úsuga addressed the court and asked for forgiveness. He also had advice for Colombia’s youth, urging them not to follow the path he had taken. He called on the United States to support peace negotiations in Colombia, including involving drug traffickers.
As part of his plea agreement, Úsuga agreed to forfeit $216 million. After serving his sentence, he will be deported to Colombia to face additional charges.
The Gulf Clan, composed of former members of terrorist organizations, controls drug routes and laboratories. It uses sicarios, or assassins, to carry out killings, torture, and kidnapping. Úsuga offered rewards for killing law enforcement officers, and there was even a bounty on a police dog.
The Gulf Clan’s power has grown since the 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the country’s largest leftist insurgent group. Criminal groups filled the vacuum left by FARC and now control a lucrative illicit economy that includes drug and human trafficking. The Gulf Clan’s territory includes the area near the Darién Gap, a jungle stretch between Colombia and Panama frequently used by migrants heading north.
Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno, a staff member at Human Rights Watch, stated that Úsuga had begun to participate in tribunals and name powerful individuals in the government who were complicit in his crimes. However, the talks were halted, and he was extradited.
Extradition has become a tool for powerful actors in Colombia to silence those who speak out about their crimes, according to Sánchez-Moreno.
How has the Gulf Clan managed to maintain control over territories despite the arrest of its leader, Dairo Antonio Úsuga David
Colombian drug trafficker Dairo Antonio Úsuga David, also known as Otoniel, has been handed a 45-year prison sentence by a judge in Brooklyn federal court. The prosecutors described Úsuga as the most violent and significant Colombian drug trafficker since Pablo Escobar. He pleaded guilty to leading the Gulf Clan, a paramilitary group that functions as a massive cartel and employs extreme violence to dominate territories in Colombia and silence rivals and law enforcement.
The prosecutors revealed that Úsuga was responsible for numerous acts of violence against law enforcement, military personnel, and civilians, making his actions incalculable. Francisco J. Navarro, a prosecutor, labeled Úsuga as Colombia’s most dangerous narcotrafficker of the century and referred to him as the supreme leader of the Gulf Clan, which ruled mercilessly. Representatives from the Colombian government were present during the sentencing.
Úsuga was arrested by the Colombian military in 2021, and then-President Iván Duque likened his capture to the downfall of Pablo Escobar in the 1990s. However, new leaders have emerged to replace Úsuga, and the Gulf Clan continues to maintain control over vast territories near the Panama border and the Caribbean and Pacific coasts.
Great news! Another dangerous criminal brought to justice. Hopefully, this extradition will help dismantle his violent drug cartel and restore safety in Colombia.