Trump Cuts US Aid to Colombia, Accuses President Petro of Drug Trafficking

President Donald Trump has accused Colombian President Gustavo Petro of being an “illegal drug dealer” and announced the immediate suspension of all US financial aid to Colombia, heightening tensions between the two countries.

Trump said that drug trafficking “has become the biggest business in Colombia” and criticized Petro for failing to curb it despite years of US assistance. “AS OF TODAY, THESE PAYMENTS… WILL NO LONGER BE MADE,” Trump wrote on social media Sunday.

This follows Trump’s September decision to “decertify” Colombia as a partner in counternarcotics, placing it alongside Venezuela, Bolivia, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. Colombia is currently facing the largest cocaine production surge in its history, making the US aid freeze a major blow to one of Washington’s closest security alliances in Latin America.

Petro Responds

President Petro countered on X, claiming Trump has been misled and emphasizing that his administration has worked to expose links between drug traffickers and Colombia’s political elite. Petro’s strategy focuses on negotiating with guerrilla and criminal groups rather than using only military force, though violence and cocaine output remain high.

Since taking office in 2022, Petro has promoted peace initiatives and cannot seek reelection when his term ends next August. He has used Trump’s opposition to rally the political left and reinforce his image as a progressive leader.

Visa Dispute and Rising Tensions

Tensions escalated in September when Petro, at a UN event, urged American soldiers to disobey Trump, prompting the US to cancel his visa. Petro dismissed the cancellation but later threatened to renegotiate Colombia’s trade pact with the US. Top Colombian ministers also stated they would give up their US visas.

Over the weekend, Trump announced that two survivors of a US strike on a submarine allegedly carrying illegal drugs in the Caribbean would be returned to Colombia and Ecuador. Petro condemned the attack, calling it a “murder” by US authorities.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth confirmed a separate US strike on Friday against a boat linked to a Colombian guerrilla group involved in drug trafficking, posting video evidence on X.

Impact on Colombia’s Security and Economy

The suspension of US aid directly affects Colombia’s ability to fund military modernization, counternarcotics operations, and anti-guerrilla efforts. Since 2017, the US has provided roughly $500 million annually for these programs, which now face disruption. Experts warn that halting this support could leave security forces under-resourced in regions where cocaine production and armed groups are most active.

Colombia’s financial markets may also feel the effects. Investors have been expecting a post-election government to adopt more market-friendly economic policies. Dollar-denominated Colombian bonds have yielded nearly 10% over the past three months, reflecting strong investor confidence. A sudden diplomatic and aid disruption could trigger volatility in these markets.

Colombia now produces more than six times the cocaine it did when Pablo Escobar was killed in 1993, exceeding combined production in Peru and Bolivia. Sergio Guzmán, director of Colombia Risk Analysis, said, “Stopping US aid risks empowering criminal organizations and reducing the government’s capacity to combat cocaine trafficking effectively.”

Also Read: U.S. SEC Says India Has Not Served Summons to Adani Executives in $265M Bribery Case