Trump Declares Colombia’s President a “Drug Leader,” Ends Aid

UPDATE: President Donald Trump has just labeled Colombia’s leader, Gustavo Petro, an “illegal drug leader,” and announced an immediate halt to U.S. aid to Colombia. This shocking declaration comes after Petro criticized U.S. military strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean, escalating tensions between the two nations.

In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump accused Petro of “encouraging the massive production of drugs” and claimed that Colombia is now the “biggest business” for drug trafficking. Trump declared, “AS OF TODAY, THESE PAYMENTS, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF PAYMENT, OR SUBSIDIES, WILL NO LONGER BE MADE TO COLOMBIA.” This move signals a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy and aid dynamics in South America.

This dramatic escalation follows a series of U.S. strikes in the Caribbean, aimed at combating drug smuggling. On the same day, Petro accused the U.S. of mistakenly attacking a fishing vessel, killing a fisherman, and labeled the strike as an “invasion of national territory.” The Colombian president has been vocal about his opposition to U.S. military actions, previously urging members of the U.S. military to “disobey” Trump’s orders during a protest event in New York.

Trump’s comments come after a U.S. strike on a vessel last Thursday, marking the sixth known attack in the region since last month. This latest strike reportedly resulted in survivors, including individuals from Ecuador and Colombia, who will be returned to their countries.

The stakes are high. Trump claims that Colombia’s drug production is responsible for “death, destruction, and havoc” in the U.S. He warned Petro, stating, “a low-rated and very unpopular leader… 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 been in office for less than a year, is the first leftist president of Colombia in decades and has a contentious relationship with the Trump administration. Last month, under Petro’s leadership, Colombia was added to the U.S. list of countries deemed to be failing in their drug control responsibilities for the first time in nearly thirty years. The U.S. Department of State reported alarming increases in coca cultivation and cocaine production in Colombia.

While Trump announced the cessation of U.S. aid, it remains uncertain what specific payments or subsidies will be affected. Petro’s administration has received substantial support in the past for anti-drug efforts, but this new directive threatens to dismantle decades of collaboration.

The fallout from these developments is expected to resonate beyond Colombia. Neighboring countries, particularly Venezuela, have expressed concerns about U.S. military aggression in the region, accusing the Trump administration of complicity with drug cartels, which the U.S. denies.

As tensions rise, all eyes are on the diplomatic fallout between the U.S. and Colombia. Will Petro respond with further actions against U.S. military initiatives? How will this impact the ongoing drug war in Colombia and the broader South American landscape?

Stay tuned for updates as this situation unfolds.