The president of the United States, Donald Trump, launched strong criticism against President Gustavo Petro, whom he described as a “drug trafficking leader” and blamed for encouraging the massive production of drugs in the country. The statements were made through his social network Truth Social and represent a new episode of tension between Washington and Bogotá.
Trump assured that illicit crops have become “Colombia’s biggest business” and questioned the effectiveness of the Colombian government, stating that Petro “does nothing to stop it,” despite the financial resources sent from the United States for anti-drug purposes. The US president described these payments as “a long-term scam” and announced the suspension of all subsidies and aid to Colombia from this moment on.
Trump was emphatic in warning that drug production in Colombia is mainly destined for the US market, where, according to him, it generates “death, destruction and havoc.” In addition, he warned that, if Petro does not act to close the laboratories and illicit crops, Washington could intervene directly, in what he described as a measure that “will not be well received” by the Colombian president.
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These statements come in a context of growing confrontation between both leaders. Last week, Petro had denounced an incident in Colombian waters where, according to him, US forces had caused the death of a fisherman, accusing Washington of violating the country’s sovereignty.
Likewise, the Colombian president defended his government’s management in the fight against drug trafficking, showing maps and reports that, according to him, show a historic increase in cocaine seizures.
We have reduced the growth rate of coca leaf crops to almost zero%. In past governments there were years with almost 100% annual growth.
Today, half of the total area of coca leaf crops has abandoned crops for three years.…
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) October 18, 2025
The verbal clash between both leaders marks a critical point in the bilateral relationship, especially after the United States recently withdrew Colombia’s certification as an allied country in the fight against drugs, a decision that had generated criticism from Petro and his team for considering it unfair and based on “traps and slander.”
With these statements, Trump ratifies his tough stance against drug trafficking and places President Petro at the epicenter of a new diplomatic conflict, generating tensions that could impact bilateral cooperation in matters of security and international assistance.