The US president’s statements generated a strong diplomatic impact.
News Colombia.
Tensions between the United States and Colombia escalated dramatically after President Donald Trump accused Gustavo Petro of being an “illegal drug trafficking leader” and announced a series of economic measures against the South American country. In a speech from the White House, the US president assured that Colombia “has failed to stop drug production and trafficking”and that his Government “will no longer finance a regime that protects criminals.”
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Trump confirmed that his administration will suspend all economic aid and bilateral cooperation related to social, environmental and security programs, alleging that these funds “have been wasted by a corrupt government.” In addition, he ordered the imposition of new tariffs on Colombian exports, especially agricultural products such as coffee, flowers and bananas, pillars of trade between both countries.
The US president’s statements generated a strong diplomatic impact. From Bogotá, the Colombian Foreign Ministry strongly rejected the accusations, calling them “unfounded, disrespectful and dangerous.” In an official statement, the Petro Government assured that Colombia “maintains its firm commitment in the fight against drug trafficking” and that “no country has the right to insult or undermine national sovereignty under political or electoral pretexts.”
For his part, President Gustavo Petro wrote the following message on his X account: «Trump is deceived by his lodges and advisors. The main enemy that drug trafficking had in Colombia was in the 21st century, which revealed its relations with the political power of Colombia. That was me. “I recommend that Trump read Colombia well and determine where the drug traffickers are and where the Democrats are.”
Trump is deceived by his lodges and advisors. The main enemy that drug trafficking had in Colombia was in the 21st century, which revealed its relations with the political power of Colombia. That was me.
I recommend Trump read Colombia well and determine where…
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) October 19, 2025
International relations experts consider that the announcement has a strong political component, since it coincides with its strategy of toughening foreign policy towards Latin America. However, they warn that the tariffs could affect thousands of jobs in Colombia and raise the prices of several products in the United States.
Economic analysts also warn about the possible effects on the Colombian trade balance, since the United States continues to be its main partner and export destination. If the new tariffs are applied, sectors such as coffee and flower growers would be the hardest hit, generating million-dollar losses and a possible increase in rural unemployment.
So far, the Casa de Nariño has not announced commercial retaliation, but diplomatic sources assure that they are considering filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO). Meanwhile, the tension between Bogotá and Washington marks one of the most critical points in the bilateral relationship in recent years, with the risk that the conflict escalates beyond the economic field into an open political confrontation.
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