President Donald Trump has cut off U.S. subsidies to Colombia — once one of Washington’s closest allies in Latin America.
He called its president, Gustavo Petro, “an illegal drug leader.”
In a fiery Truth Social post, Trump accused Petro of “strongly encouraging” massive drug production “in big and small fields all over Colombia.”
His comments came after Petro blasted the U.S. for “murder” over a September military strike that killed a Colombian fisherman in the Caribbean.
The move marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Washington and Bogotá.
Last year, the U.S. provided more than $740 million in aid to Colombia, mostly for anti-narcotics and security operations.
It’s unclear how much of that funding will now be frozen.
War On Drugs Escalates
The White House insists its recent boat strikes in the Caribbean target “drug-carrying vessels.”
The U.N. has condemned the attacks as “extrajudicial executions.”
Trump defended the operations, saying the most recent strike hit a “submarine loaded with fentanyl.”
Two survivors were taken aboard a U.S. Navy ship and will reportedly be returned to their home countries.
Petro, meanwhile, accuses the U.S. of violating Colombia’s sovereignty.
“The boat was adrift,” he said, “its distress signal up due to an engine failure.”
As both sides trade accusations, one thing is clear — the so-called “war on drugs” just found a new front line.
