In Colombia, President Gustavo Petro has proposed a bold plan for Colombian forces to cooperate with Venezuelan troops and other regional partners in fighting drug trafficking. Petro emphasized that this is not an endorsement of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has faced criticism for human rights violations.
Petro said the initiative aims to defend regional order and the legacy of Simón Bolívar, stressing the need for integrated intelligence operations involving Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and the Amazon region. He also highlighted efforts to secure the release of Colombians imprisoned in Venezuela.
The proposal comes amid rising tensions with the Trump administration, which has sharply criticized Petro’s policies. On Sunday, Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on Colombian exports and cut U.S. financial assistance, calling Colombia a “drug manufacturing machine” and labeling Petro “the worst president they’ve ever had.” He accused Petro of supporting mass coca cultivation, claiming the U.S. would halt all payments and subsidies immediately.
The U.S. has also claimed that a Colombian boat linked to the National Liberation Army, or ELN, was destroyed in a military operation, though Colombia has disputed the report, saying the vessel carried civilians.
President Petro responded on social media, defending Colombia’s anti-drug efforts and rejecting Trump’s accusations. “Trying to promote peace in Colombia is not being a drug trafficker,” he wrote, calling the U.S. president “rude and ignorant toward Colombia” and asserting that Colombia is taking the lead in combating drug production.
Colombia’s Foreign Ministry condemned Trump’s remarks as a “direct threat to national sovereignty,” while Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez highlighted the sacrifices of Colombian forces in the fight against drug trafficking.
This unfolding dispute underscores growing tensions between Colombia and the United States, as Petro pursues regional cooperation against drug trafficking while defending his country’s sovereignty and policies.
Reporting by Katy Moore.
