Who Is Dairo Antonio Úsuga? Age, Biography and Wiki
Dairo Antonio Úsuga, widely recognized as one of the most notorious drug lords in Colombia, was born on September 15, 1971. As of 2025, he is 53 years old. Úsuga, also known as Otoniel, gained notoriety as the leader of the Gulf Clan, a powerful criminal organization involved in drug trafficking and organized crime. His rise to power in the drug trade, along with his eventual capture in 2021, has significantly impacted Colombia's government efforts against drug cartels.
| Occupation | Lord |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 15, 1971 |
| Age | 54 Years |
| Birth Place | Necoclí, Antioquia, Colombia |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | Colombia |
Popularity
Dairo Antonio Úsuga's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details on Dairo Antonio Úsuga's height and weight are somewhat limited, estimates suggest that he stands approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall. His weight has fluctuated throughout his life, particularly during his time in hiding and captivity; reports indicate he weighed around 175 pounds (79 kg) at his peak.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Dairo Antonio Úsuga has been notably private regarding his personal life, which has made it challenging to ascertain his relationship status. Historically, drug lords often maintain relationships that are closely guarded due to the nature of their lives. As of 2025, there is no public information regarding his girlfriend, boyfriend, or any potential spouse, reflecting the complexities of living a life so deeply entwined with organized crime.
Born on September 15, 1971, in Necoclí, in northwestern Colombia, Dairo Antonio Úsuga David, known as "Otoniel," came from a modest peasant family.
In 1989, at the age of 18, he joined the Popular Liberation Army (EPL), a guerrilla group with a strong presence in the region that sought to defend poor peasants against landowners and the government. "He was not a revolutionary. But it was all there was and he went with them," his mother explained in a 2015 interview with a journalist.
The EPL signed a peace agreement with the government two years later, in 1991, and its members returned to civilian life. He then joined the United Self-Defenses of Colombia (Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia, or AUC), a Colombian far-right paramilitary and drug trafficking group.
Net Worth and Salary
The estimated net worth of Dairo Antonio Úsuga is difficult to ascertain precisely, but during his peak as the leader of the Gulf Clan, it was rumored to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. His wealth stemmed from extensive drug trafficking operations, but post-capture, his financial status remains unclear. Any earnings accrued during his criminal activities are now likely under heavy scrutiny given his legal troubles.
Career, Business and Investments
Dairo Antonio Úsuga's career trajectory has been marred with controversy. He began his criminal career in the paramilitary group known as the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC) before transitioning into drug trafficking. As the head of the Gulf Clan, he masterminded a vast network of smuggling routes and operations throughout Colombia and beyond. Despite his capture in 2021, details of any businesses or investments following his release from prison in 2022 are still vague, likely due to the continuing legal challenges he faces.
Social Network
Dairo Antonio Úsuga remains a figure of significant public interest, but he has been silent on social media platforms since his capture. Any accounts related to him would likely be unofficial or fan-run, rather than direct communication from Úsuga himself. His life is often discussed in the context of documentaries, news articles, and true crime podcasts rather than social networking platforms.
Colombian police have sought the arrest of Úsuga since around 2011. In 2015, the BBC reported that 1,200 Colombian anti-drug police were involved in the search for Úsuga. The same year a Colombian police helicopter searching for Úsuga crashed, killing 18.
In 2017 the US Department of State offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest. Also in 2017, Colombian anti-trafficking police dropped flyers from helicopters offering a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture.
In 2017 Úsuga published a video on Facebook in which he offered to submit to a negotiated surrender.
Education
Information about Dairo Antonio Úsuga's educational background is largely non-existent, as his life choices and early career revolve around criminality rather than formal education. It is believed that he had a modest upbringing, but details surrounding his education, if any, have not been disclosed publicly. His opportunistic rise within organized crime seems to have overshadowed any potential academic pursuits.
