Trump’s Escalating Feud With Colombia’s President Threatens Decades of Antidrug Cooperation
In a dramatic escalation of tensions between Washington and Bogotá, former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to cut off American aid to Colombia—a move that could unravel over two decades of joint efforts to combat the global cocaine trade. The decision comes amid a bitter public feud with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who has condemned Trump’s recent military strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific as “murder.”
From Allies to Adversaries: The Collapse of a Strategic Partnership
Since the launch of Plan Colombia in 2000, the U.S. has invested more than $10 billion in security, counternarcotics, and development assistance to Colombia. The partnership helped dismantle cartels, kill drug lord Pablo Escobar, and stabilize a nation once plagued by guerrilla warfare and narco-terrorism.
But that alliance is now teetering. Trump, accusing Petro—a former leftist guerrilla—of enabling drug cartels, has moved to decertify Colombia as a cooperative partner on counternarcotics, the first such action in nearly 30 years. The administration has also imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife, son, and a top adviser.
“They’re Killing Fishermen, Not Traffickers”
At the heart of the crisis are a series of lethal U.S. strikes on civilian vessels. Since September 2, the Trump administration claims it has killed at least 57 people in 13 boat attacks, alleging the vessels were smuggling drugs. However, Colombian officials and regional analysts say many victims were innocent fishermen.
“These aren’t drug runners—they’re working-class families trying to survive,” said Elizabeth Dickinson of the International Crisis Group. “There’s been no public evidence presented to justify these strikes.”
Petro, a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy and Israel’s actions in Gaza, has not held back. “If Trump keeps being complicit in the genocide, as he is up to today, he deserves nothing but jail,” he declared at a pro-Palestinian rally in New York—remarks that led to the U.S. revoking his visa.
What’s at Stake: Intelligence, Security, and Regional Stability
Colombia isn’t just a partner—it’s a critical intelligence hub. According to U.S. congressional data, 85% of actionable intelligence used by a Pentagon task force in Key West between January 2024 and June 2025 originated in Colombia.
“We’d be flying blind without them,” warned retired Admiral James Stavridis, former head of U.S. Southern Command.
The U.S. allocated $377 million in aid to Colombia in 2024, with about a third dedicated to counternarcotics. Cutting this support could cripple Colombia’s ability to contain armed groups that have already increased coca production.
Domestic Politics Fueling a Global Rift
Analysts say the clash is as much about ideology as it is about policy. “Trump and Petro are polar opposites,” said Daniel DePetris of Defense Priorities. “This is personality-driven theater for their domestic bases.”
Petro, nearing the end of his single four-year term, is positioning himself as a global voice for the left—championing climate justice and Palestinian rights. Trump, meanwhile, is reviving his “America First” doctrine with a 21st-century Monroe Doctrine, seeking to reassert U.S. dominance in Latin America.
Can the Relationship Be Salvaged?
Despite the presidential fireworks, on-the-ground cooperation continues—for now. Colombian Ambassador Daniel García-Peña insists military and intelligence ties remain intact, though the U.S. Navy has stopped sharing data on boat strikes.
“If facts and mutual benefits are weighed,” García-Peña said, “cooperation will endure.” But with trust eroding and lives already lost, the window for de-escalation may be closing fast.
