UPDATE: In a dramatic escalation, President Donald Trump has declared Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro an “illegal drug leader,” announcing the immediate halt of all U.S. aid to the South American nation. This urgent decision follows Petro’s fierce criticism of U.S. military operations targeting alleged drug boats in the Caribbean, marking a significant shift in U.S.-Colombia relations.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Petro of promoting the “massive production of drugs” in Colombia. He stated, “AS OF TODAY, THESE PAYMENTS, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF PAYMENT, OR SUBSIDIES, WILL NO LONGER BE MADE TO COLOMBIA.” This announcement comes just hours after Petro condemned a recent U.S. strike that he claimed resulted in the death of a fisherman, asserting that the U.S. had “invaded national territory.”
The fallout from this clash has immediate implications for Colombia, a traditional U.S. ally in anti-drug efforts. Trump emphasized that Colombia’s drug production contributes to “death, destruction, and havoc” in the United States. He warned Petro, “better close up these killing fields immediately, or the United States will close them up for him, and it won’t be done nicely.”
Petro, who has maintained that he is a strong opponent of drug trafficking, pushed back against Trump’s accusations. He recently labeled the U.S. strikes as unjustified and highlighted that they have resulted in civilian casualties. The Colombian president previously called on the U.S. military to “disobey” Trump’s orders during a protest in New York, prompting the State Department to threaten to revoke his visa.
This escalating tension adds to the scrutiny surrounding U.S. military actions in the region. The latest strike on July 15, 2023, marks the sixth such attack in the Caribbean since last month, raising concerns about collateral damage and the effectiveness of U.S. operations. In response, the Colombian government has faced criticism for failing to meet coca eradication goals, with the U.S. recently labeling Colombia as a country not fulfilling its anti-drug responsibilities for the first time in nearly three decades.
As the situation develops, the impact on U.S. aid to Colombia remains uncertain. The Trump administration’s abrupt cut in financial support could have far-reaching consequences for both nations, potentially destabilizing Colombia’s efforts to control drug trafficking.
With tensions high, observers are keenly watching how Petro will respond to Trump’s ultimatum and what this means for U.S.-Colombia relations moving forward. The stakes are high, and the world is paying attention.
