U.S. suspends payments to Colombia and labels President Petro as “illegal drug leader,” escalating diplomatic tensions and threatening regional stability.

Washington has announced that all U.S. aid to Colombia will be immediately suspended, and new import tariffs on Colombian goods will be imposed, following a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to declare, “From today, no further payments or subsidies will be made to Colombia,” without specifying which programs or funds will be affected.

Trump’s accusations focus on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, whom he described as an “illegal drug leader” allegedly allowing narcotics cultivation across the country, despite large-scale U.S. aid and subsidies. The President made these remarks during a press briefing aboard Air Force One, announcing that new customs duties would be detailed on Monday.

The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded strongly, calling the accusation “a highly serious action against the honor of the President” and asserting that it constitutes a direct threat to the nation’s sovereignty. Officials emphasized that Washington’s proposals amount to illegal interference in Colombian internal affairs, violating international law and diplomatic norms protecting national independence and the right to self-determination.

The tensions coincide with a recent series of U.S. military actions in the southern Caribbean, where American forces targeted vessels suspected of drug trafficking connected to Colombian insurgents. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that at least three individuals were killed during an operation last Friday, part of a broader campaign that has claimed 27 lives since early September.

President Petro condemned these operations, accusing the U.S. of using anti-narcotics policy as a pretext to control Caribbean oil reserves and exert military influence, and noted that his visa to the United States was revoked following his participation in a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the 80th UN General Assembly.

According to U.S. State Department data, the United States provided more than $210 million in assistance to Colombia during the current fiscal year. Analysts suggest that Trump’s decision to suspend aid and impose new tariffs marks a dramatic shift in U.S.-Colombia relations, potentially affecting regional security, trade, and international cooperation on drug interdiction.

This escalating conflict signals a new chapter in U.S.-Colombia relations, as both nations navigate a complex intersection of sovereignty, security, and international diplomacy. (ILKHA)