Trump suspends US aid to Colombia, labels Petro a 'drug leader'

Diplomatic relations between Colombia and the United States have plunged to a new low following a public confrontation between their presidents. The crisis was triggered by President Donald Trump's announcement on the Truth Social platform that the US is immediately suspending all financial aid to the South American nation.

Escalating Accusations

In his social media posts, President Trump launched a severe personal attack on his Colombian counterpart, referring to President Gustavo Petro as "an illegal drug dealer" and a "low rated and very unpopular" leader. Trump declared an end to US payments and subsidies to Colombia, which he labeled a "long-term scam." He issued a direct threat, warning Petro to "better close up" drug operations, adding, "or the United States will close them up for him, and it won't be done nicely." President Petro responded by asserting that the US president is being "misled" by his own advisors, countering that he himself has exposed links between drug trafficking and political power in Colombia.

Context of the Clash

The immediate friction point was a recent US military strike in the Caribbean. Following the announcement by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that a targeted vessel was linked to the Colombian ELN rebel group, Petro vehemently denied the claim. The Colombian president identified the boat as belonging to fishermen from Santa Marta, describing the owner as "a humble human being" who loved the sea. This incident is the latest in a series of confrontations since Trump's return to office, including the US removing Colombia from a list of nations cooperating in the fight against drugs and the revocation of President Petro's US visa in late September.

A Deepening Rift

The US government maintains that its recent strikes, which have resulted in at least 32 casualties, deliver a decisive blow to drug trafficking networks. However, it has not publicly provided evidence to substantiate its claims that those killed were involved in the drug trade. This escalating war of words and the suspension of aid mark one of the most severe diplomatic breakdowns between the two historically allied nations in recent years.