Trump Cuts Aid to Colombia After Petro’s Criticism of Drug Strikes

President Donald Trump announced on October 8, 2023, that the United States will cease foreign aid to Colombia. This decision follows comments made by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who criticized U.S. military strikes targeting vessels suspected of trafficking drugs. In a post on Truth Social, Trump labeled Petro as an “illegal drug leader” and accused him of failing to combat the drug trade in his country.

Petro’s critique emerged on October 7, when he claimed that the U.S. actions amounted to murder. He referenced a September strike on a boat believed to be involved in drug trafficking operations directed at the United States. In response, Trump stated in his Truth Social post, “It has become the biggest business in Colombia, by far, and Petro does nothing to stop it.” He asserted that U.S. payments and subsidies have been “nothing more than a long-term rip off of America,” declaring that as of the announcement, “these payments, or any other form of payment or subsidies, will no longer be made to Colombia.”

Trump‘s sharp remarks did not stop there. He urged Petro, whom he described as “a low-rated and very unpopular leader,” to take immediate action against drug production. “Better close up these killing fields immediately, or the United States will close them up for him,” he warned, adding that the latter option would not be “done nicely.”

Military Actions Against Drug Traffickers

On the same day as Trump’s announcement, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth released a video showing a U.S. military operation targeting a vessel linked to drug traffickers. The boat’s crew was reportedly associated with the National Liberation Army (ELN), a Colombian terrorist group. This military action is part of a broader campaign initiated by the U.S. to combat drug trafficking in the region, which has intensified since a September 2 incident where a vessel carrying members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua was sunk.

Despite receiving criticism from various political figures, including Democrats and Republican Senator Rand Paul, a Senate effort to halt these strikes was blocked. Trump’s administration has consistently taken a hard stance on drug cartels, designating groups like Tren de Aragua and the Salvadoran gang MS-13 as foreign terrorist organizations shortly after he took office on January 20, 2025.

The ramifications of Trump’s decision to withdraw aid could have significant implications for Colombia, a country grappling with ongoing challenges related to drug production and violence. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how this withdrawal will affect U.S.-Colombian relations and the broader fight against drug trafficking.