Trump Cuts Financial Aid to Colombia
On Sunday, former President Donald Trump declared that he would terminate financial support and subsidies to Colombia, citing the country’s inability to control escalating cocaine production.
Trump referred to Colombian President Gustavo Petro as “an illegal drug leader,” claiming he has been “strongly encouraging the mass production of narcotics” in Colombia. Trump further commented that the president “has become the biggest business” in the nation.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed that Petro “is doing nothing to stop it,” explaining that U.S. assistance aimed at helping Colombia combat drug trafficking “is nothing but a long-term rip-off from the United States.” He added, “As of today, these payments, and any other payments and subsidies, will no longer be sent to Colombia.”
The former president warned that the ongoing drug issues in Colombia are leading to “death, destruction, and havoc,” as the Colombian government increases its border security and attempts to tackle the pervasive drug crisis.
Trump did not hesitate to threaten Petro, saying he “better shut down these killing scenes immediately, or the United States will shut them down for Petro. And it’s not going to work.”
The Colombian embassy in Washington, D.C., did not respond immediately to a request for comment, nor did the White House provide additional input.
Recently, the Trump administration revoked Petro’s U.S. visa due to what was described as “reckless and inflammatory conduct” in New York City.
Petro has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration, particularly regarding its authorization of lethal attacks on vessels in the Caribbean suspected of transporting drugs. He stated at the United Nations General Assembly that “criminal proceedings must be initiated against officials from the United States, even if they include President Trump, the highest official who issued the order.” He argued that passengers on the targeted boats were not affiliated with the Venezuelan gang Torren de Aragua, contrary to claims made by the Trump administration.
