In a blistering social media tirade from his Mar-a-Lago resort, President Donald Trump announced the immediate termination of all U.S. subsidies and payments to Colombia on Sunday, accusing the South American nation’s leader, Gustavo Petro, of actively fueling the global drug trade. The move escalates long-simmering tensions between Washington and Bogotá, one of America’s key allies in the fight against narcotics trafficking.
“President Gustavo Petro, of Columbia, is an illegal drug leader strongly encouraging the massive production of drugs, in big and small fields, all over Columbia,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, misspelling the country’s name as he often does in his posts. “It has become the biggest business in Columbia, by far, and Petro does nothing to stop it, despite large scale payments and subsidies from the USA that are nothing more than a long term rip off of America.”
Trump’s declaration comes amid heightened friction over Colombia’s role as the world’s largest cocaine producer. According to the United Nations, coca cultivation—the key ingredient in cocaine—hit record highs in 2024, with much of the product flooding into the U.S. market and exacerbating the fentanyl crisis that claims tens of thousands of American lives annually. The president warned that Petro, whom he described as a “low rated and very unpopular leader, with a fresh mouth toward America,” must shutter these “killing fields” immediately—or face U.S. intervention.
“Petro better close up these killing fields immediately, or the United States will close them up for him, and it won’t be done nicely,” Trump added, hinting at potential military action. “AS OF TODAY, THESE PAYMENTS, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF PAYMENT, OR SUBSIDIES, WILL NO LONGER BE MADE TO COLUMBIA.”
The U.S. has poured billions into Colombia over the past two decades through initiatives like Plan Colombia, aimed at eradicating drug crops and bolstering security. Last month, however, the Trump administration accused Bogotá of failing to cooperate sufficiently in anti-drug efforts, issuing a temporary waiver to avoid sanctions but signaling deeper dissatisfaction. More recently, the State Department revoked Petro’s U.S. visa during his attendance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, citing his participation in a protest where he urged American troops to “disobey the orders of Trump” and refrain from “pointing your rifles against humanity.”
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla and Colombia’s first left-wing president since 2022, has long advocated for a shift away from militarized drug policies toward social and environmental reforms. Critics in Washington argue his approach has emboldened cartels and undermined eradication efforts. Recent U.S. naval strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean—some allegedly Colombian-flagged—have further strained relations, with Petro decrying them as “a war for oil” rather than a genuine anti-smuggling campaign.
White House officials confirmed the aid cutoff late Sunday, describing it as a direct response to Colombia’s “inadequate cooperation” in stemming fentanyl precursors and cocaine flows. “This isn’t about politics; it’s about protecting American lives from the poison pouring across our borders,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. The decision could impact up to $500 million in annual assistance, including military and economic aid, though exact figures remain classified.
Colombian officials had not immediately responded to requests for comment as of press time. Petro’s government has faced domestic backlash over surging violence and economic woes, with approval ratings hovering below 30% in recent polls. On X, supporters of the president rallied against Trump’s rhetoric, calling it “imperialist bullying,” while opponents praised the move as a tough stand on border security.
The announcement drew swift reactions across the political spectrum. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) endorsed the cuts, tweeting: “Time to stop funding failure. Petro’s weakness is killing Americans.” Conversely, House Democrats, led by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), condemned the action as “reckless diplomacy that endangers regional stability.”
Analysts warn that slashing aid could inadvertently boost drug lords by weakening Colombia’s security forces, potentially leading to more instability in Latin America. “This is a high-stakes gamble,” said Eric Olson, a Latin America expert at the Wilson Center. “Trump’s tough talk might rally his base, but it risks alienating a vital partner at a time when cooperation is crucial.”