The U.S.-Colombia relationship has taken a dramatic turn after former President Donald Trump launched a fiery attack on Colombia’s leader, Gustavo Petro.
Trump accused Petro of being an “illegal drug dealer” and warned that America might step in if the country doesn’t curb its narcotics production.
Trump’s Social Media Warning
On Sunday morning, Trump took to Truth Social with a long, pointed post aimed at Petro.
He accused the Colombian president of encouraging drug cultivation across the nation and claimed that the industry had become Colombia’s largest business.
According to Trump, Petro has ignored U.S. aid intended to combat the drug trade, calling it “a long-term rip off of America.”
Trump didn’t hold back, declaring that the U.S. would cut all subsidies to Colombia immediately.
“As of today, these payments, or any other form of payment, or subsidies, will no longer be made in Columbia [sic],” he wrote, adding that the drug trade fuels “death, destruction, and havoc” in the United States.
He also labeled Petro a “low rated and very unpopular leader” and warned that if Petro doesn’t act, the U.S. “will close them up for him, and it won’t be done nicely.”
Background on U.S. Aid and Petro’s Provocations
The warning comes after the U.S. sent more than $207 million in aid to Colombia this year, according to ForeignAssistance.gov.
The feud escalated about a month ago when Petro, visiting New York for the UN General Assembly, urged U.S. soldiers to disobey orders he deemed violent.
Petro’s remarks outside the UN led the State Department to revoke his visa, though he had already returned to Bogotá by that time.
During his visit, Petro also shared video clips of himself at a pro-Palestinian protest alongside former Pink Floyd guitarist Roger Waters.
Dispute Over Deadly Strikes in the Caribbean
The tension also stems from Petro’s criticism of U.S. military actions in the Caribbean.
He demanded criminal investigations into strikes on boats he claimed killed innocent young men, rather than members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, as the Trump administration alleged.
Speaking at the UN, Petro called the strikes “criminalizing poverty and migration” and argued that non-lethal measures could have been used instead.
In a BBC interview, he condemned the attacks as “acts of tyranny” and questioned why lethal force was necessary when the crews could have simply been detained.
Petro’s Stance on Collaboration With U.S. Agencies
Petro emphasized Colombia’s history of cooperating with American and international agencies in drug interdiction efforts.
“No one has ever died before. There is no need to kill anyone,” he told the BBC, reinforcing his criticism of the strikes.
Ongoing Developments
The situation remains tense, and both leaders’ rhetoric indicates a potential escalation in diplomatic strain between the U.S. and Colombia.
The Daily Mail reached out to Petro’s office for further comment.
This is a developing story, and updates will follow as more information emerges.