Trump Cuts Off Colombia Over Drug Dispute

Tensions between the United States and Colombia hit a new low after President Donald Trump announced the US will cut financial aid and raise tariffs on its long-time South American ally. The move follows a fiery exchange between Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro over deadly US military actions in the Caribbean.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Petro of being "an illegal drug leader" and claimed the Colombian government was "strongly encouraging the massive production of drugs, in big and small fields, all over Colombia." He added that because the US offers "large scale payments and subsidies" to Colombia while Petro "does nothing" to stop the drug flow, those payments would end.

While it's unclear exactly which funding will be cut or when, the US provided Colombia with over $740 million in aid in 2023. Trump has also threatened new tariffs, promising more details soon.

The row intensified after a US military strike in Colombian waters in September killed fisherman Alejandro Carranza, whom Petro insists had "no ties to the drug trade." The Colombian president accused the US of committing “murder” and violating national sovereignty. "The Colombian boat was adrift and had its distress signal up due to an engine failure," Petro posted online. "We await explanations from the US government."

Trump defended the attack, claiming the boat was involved in drug trafficking, though no evidence has been made public. Human rights groups and UN-appointed experts have condemned recent US boat strikes in the Caribbean as “extrajudicial executions.”

Colombia Recalls Its Ambassador

In response to Trump’s comments and the growing dispute, Colombia’s foreign ministry announced on Monday that it has recalled its ambassador from Washington, Daniel Garcia-Peña, for consultations. The government described Trump’s accusations as “offensive” and said further decisions would be made soon.

This diplomatic fallout follows a string of US military strikes on vessels in the Caribbean, which the US says were smuggling drugs. The most recent attack — on a submarine — reportedly killed two people and left survivors, who are being returned to Colombia and Ecuador after being picked up by the US Navy.

So far, at least 27 people have died in the recent series of strikes.

Relations between Washington and Bogotá have been under strain for months. In September, the US officially listed Colombia as failing to meet anti-narcotics goals — the first time since 1996 — but still allowed aid to continue under a waiver. That now appears to be over.

Colombia, once one of the biggest recipients of US aid in the Western Hemisphere, has already seen its funding reduced after the closure of USAID operations in the country earlier this year. Currently, Colombia pays 10% tariffs on most goods it exports to the US — a rate Trump could soon increase as part of his hardline stance.

Meanwhile, the US president has also escalated threats toward Venezuela, confirming CIA operations and hinting at possible military action there, accusing President Nicolás Maduro of using the country as a drug pipeline.

What Comes Next?

The diplomatic and economic standoff between the US and Colombia is rapidly escalating, with humanitarian, trade, and regional stability implications. As Colombia reels from both external strikes and internal political pressure, and Trump doubles down on his aggressive anti-drug messaging, relations between the two countries are now at their most fragile point in decades.