President Donald Trump has announced plans to halt all foreign aid to Colombia, targeting funding for the country’s anti-drug initiatives. This decision comes as a response to President Gustavo Petro, whom Trump has publicly criticized for not taking stronger measures against drug production within Colombia.
In a post on Truth Social on October 8, 2023, Trump referred to Petro as “an illegal drug leader” and accused him of permitting widespread drug cultivation in Colombia. Trump stated that if Petro does not take action to “close up” the sources of drugs, “the United States will close them up for him.” This escalating rhetoric marks a significant deterioration in U.S.-Colombian relations.
Tensions between the two leaders have intensified since Trump returned to the White House in January. Shortly into his second term, he imposed tariffs, sanctions, and visa restrictions on Colombia after Petro initially refused to accept two migrant repatriation flights. While Petro eventually allowed the flights to land, the relationship has remained fraught.
In a recent exchange, Petro condemned Trump’s military actions in the Caribbean, where U.S. forces have targeted alleged drug-smuggling vessels. On October 9, he stated, “There is no war against smuggling; there is a war for oil, and it must be stopped by the world.” He claimed that Trump’s military operations have created a “war scenario” that threatens the entire region.
Trump’s threats to cut aid are particularly concerning given that Colombia receives over $200 million annually in foreign assistance from the United States, with more than $20 million specifically allocated to combat drug trafficking. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), approximately 90 percent of the cocaine entering the United States originates from Colombia.
In his social media statement, Trump emphasized the detrimental impact of Colombian drug production, asserting, “The purpose of this drug production is the sale of massive amounts of product into the United States, causing death, destruction, and havoc.” He further described Petro as “a low rated and very unpopular leader” and threatened to take decisive action if the situation does not improve.
The conflict escalated when Trump ordered a military strike against an alleged “drug-carrying submarine” in the Caribbean, which resulted in two survivors, later sent back to their home countries of Ecuador and Colombia. Petro criticized this action, claiming that the U.S. military had actually destroyed a fishing boat, leading to accusations of murder and violations of Colombian sovereignty.
Petro has publicly expressed his disdain for Trump, sharing a video of a large “No Kings” protest occurring in the United States, seemingly to mock the American president. He has also advocated for the global legalization of cocaine, arguing that the drug’s illegality stems from its production in Latin America rather than its inherent danger, stating, “Cocaine is illegal because it is made in Latin America, not because it is worse than whiskey.”
As diplomatic tensions rise, it remains unclear whether Trump will indeed proceed with cutting all aid or limit the cuts to funds designated for narcotics control. The situation continues to develop, with both leaders firmly entrenched in their positions.