Former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly denounced Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro at Mar‑a‑Lago, accusing him of facilitating drug manufacturing and warning that the U.S. would cut aid.
Trump Accuses President Petro of Drug Production
Donald Trump criticized Colombian President Gustavo Petro during a speech at Mar‑a‑Lago, saying the new leader is “causing problems” and should “watch his own butt.” Trump claimed that Colombia produces narcotics, that the U.S. knows the locations of three large cocaine factories, and urged Petro to shut them down.
U.S.–Colombia Alliance in Tension
The relationship deteriorated after Petro won the 2022 election. As an ally of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Petro has accused the Trump administration of bombing Colombian vessels involved in drug smuggling and suspended intelligence sharing in November. He warned that efforts to curb drug trafficking must not come at the expense of human rights in the Caribbean.
Trump Labels Petro an “Illegal Drug Dealer”
In October, Trump called Petro an “illegal drug dealer” and announced that the United States would stop providing large pay‑outs and grants to Colombia. He alleged that Petro supports mass drug production for later export to the U.S., and the administration has declared Colombia no longer a partner in the drug‑war, potentially triggering a loss of U.S. military aid worth millions dollars.
