Jobanis de Jesús Ávila Villadiego, alias ‘Chiquito Malo’

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Jobanis de Jesús Ávila Villadiego, alias “Chiquito Malo,” is the commander of the Gulf Clan—also known as the Urabeños or the Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia – AGC) — one of Colombia’s most powerful criminal groups. Ávila took over leadership of the organization following the capture of Dairo Antonio Úsuga, alias “Otoniel,” in October 2021.

Chiquito Malo inherited a criminal organization facing major challenges. However, under his leadership, the group has managed to overcome them and even gain greater prominence within Colombia’s criminal landscape.

How Did Chiquito Malo Begin His Criminal Career?

Ávila Villadiego was born in San Pedro de Urabá, in Colombia’s Antioquia department. His criminal history began within the paramilitary ranks of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia – AUC). He was part of the Banana Bloc (Bloque Bananero), which operated in the Urabá region until its demobilization in November 2004.

He later joined the Gulf Clan, a successor organization to the paramilitary demobilization process that emerged in 2006 after some former members decided to take up arms again and regain control over territories once held by the AUC.

Thanks to his experience and knowledge of the Urabá region, Ávila Villadiego quickly rose through the ranks. He was appointed commander of the Central Urabá structure, from where he oversaw drug trafficking operations in the Gulf of Urabá — a key corridor for shipping narcotics to Central America and the United States.

By 2015, he was already considered one of the group’s top leaders. In June of that year, the US government indicted him, identifying him as one of the principal leaders of the drug trafficking structure.

That same year, after intense pursuit by Colombian authorities, Ávila Villadiego escaped a raid in Antioquia’s Urabá region that left three members of his security circle dead and four others captured.

Since then, his whereabouts have remained unknown, although his influence has only grown. He is currently wanted for extradition to the United States on drug trafficking charges.

In February 2021, following the death of Nelson Hurtado Simanca, alias “Marihuano,” the Gulf Clan’s second-in-command, Ávila Villadiego rose to replace him. He became Otoniel’s right-hand man and was tasked with overseeing his security.

That role was short-lived. In October 2021, Otoniel was captured, and Ávila Villadiego assumed command of the criminal organization.

In 2022, the Gulf Clan expressed its willingness to participate in President Gustavo Petro’s “Total Peace” policy, and in August 2024, formal talks began between the government and the group.

In December 2025, the Colombian government suspended the arrest warrant against Ávila Villadiego to advance agreements reached during negotiations, only to reactivate it in March 2026.

One month later, the US Department of Justice added charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to support and finance terrorist organizations to the existing indictment against Ávila Villadiego, or Chiquito Malo.

In May 2026, Colombia’s Office of the High Commissioner for Peace once again requested the suspension of the arrest warrants against Chiquito Malo and 28 other Gulf Clan members. But the Attorney General’s Office rejected the request.

What Are Chiquito Malo’s Main Criminal Activities?

Chiquito Malo rose to the leadership of the Gulf Clan with extensive experience overseeing drug trafficking operations in the Urabá regions of Antioquia and Chocó in northwestern Colombia — a historic stronghold of the group and a strategic hub for shipping narcotics to Central America, the United States, and the Caribbean.

As the group’s top leader, he coordinates one of Colombia’s largest criminal structures, involved not only in drug trafficking but also in illegal mining, extortion, smuggling, migrant trafficking, and other criminal economies.

Where Does Chiquito Malo Operate?

Before taking overall command of the Gulf Clan, Chiquito Malo’s operations were concentrated in the Urabá region, spanning the departments of Antioquia and Chocó — an area crucial to drug trafficking, illegal mining, migrant smuggling, and contraband activities.

He now oversees structures operating in more than half of Colombia’s departments.

His strongest influence remains in Antioquia, Córdoba, and Sucre, although the group also maintains a presence in Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Bolívar, Magdalena, Cesar, La Guajira, Norte de Santander, Meta, Casanare, Vichada, and parts of Nariño.

Who Are Chiquito Malo’s Allies and Enemies?

Mexican cartels, particularly the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación – CJNG), have been key allies of the Gulf Clan in drug trafficking operations. The group has also built and maintained criminal ties with major European mafias, including the ’Ndrangheta and Balkan mafias.

Within Colombia, the National Liberation Army (Ejército de Liberación Nacional – ELN) is the Gulf Clan’s main enemy. The two groups clash in the department of Chocó, as well as areas of Valle del Cauca and Antioquia, which are strategic for drug trafficking and illegal mining.

In Magdalena, northern Colombia, Chiquito Malo’s forces have been fighting the Pachenca — also known as the Self-Defense Conquerors of the Sierra Nevada (Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada – ACSN) — since 2019 in an effort to gain greater control over cocaine trafficking routes in northern Colombia.

Internally, Chiquito Malo has also faced rebellious commanders. After assuming leadership following Otoniel’s capture, he entered into a growing rivalry with Wilmer Antonio Giraldo Quiroz, alias “Siopas,” another senior leader who considered himself heir to Otoniel’s empire. The dispute ended with Siopas’ assassination in early 2023, after reports emerged that he was planning to create a dissident faction of the Gulf Clan in Antioquia.

What Lies Ahead for Chiquito Malo?

Following Otoniel’s capture, many expected the Gulf Clan’s criminal reach to weaken. Instead, under Chiquito Malo’s leadership, the group has consolidated itself as Colombia’s most powerful criminal network and strengthened its role within transnational illegal economies.

The future of both Chiquito Malo and the Gulf Clan within Colombia’s “Total Peace” process remains uncertain. Nevertheless, the group has sought to capitalize on the current context by pressuring its main enemies and expanding its territorial control in areas strategic to various criminal economies, including drug trafficking and illegal mining.