President Trump moved decisively this weekend, cutting U.S. payments to Colombia after accusing its leader of abetting drug production that floods American streets. The administration framed the move as protecting Americans from fentanyl and other narcotics that come out of South America.
“President Gustavo Petro, of Colombia, is an illegal drug leader strongly encouraging the massive production of drugs, in big and small fields, all over Colombia,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He called the trade “the biggest business in Colombia” and accused Petro of doing “nothing to stop it.” Trump added that these problems persisted despite “large-scale payments and subsidies from the USA that are nothing more than a long-term rip-off of America.”
“AS OF TODAY, THESE PAYMENTS, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF PAYMENT, OR SUBSIDIES, WILL NO LONGER BE MADE TO COLUMBIA,” he continued. The president also warned Petro to shut down the “killing fields” producing drugs or the United States will step in to stop them.
“The purpose of this drug production is the sale of massive amounts of product into the United States, causing death, destruction, and havoc,” the President wrote. He added, “Petro, a low-rated and very unpopular leader, with a fresh mouth toward America, better close up these killing fields immediately, or the United States will close them up for him, and it won’t be done nicely.”
Petro pushed back, blasting U.S. forces after a strike in Colombian waters and calling it murder. “US government officials have committed a murder and violated our sovereignty in territorial waters,” he said, and insisted “Fisherman Alejandro Carranza had no ties to the drug trade, and his daily activity was fishing.”
Petro also claimed the boat “had its distress signal up due to an engine failure” and demanded “explanations from the US government.” The exchange has raised tensions between Bogotá and Washington over jurisdiction and targeting rules.
On Thursday the president said a “drug-carrying submarine” was located and destroyed in the Caribbean, leaving two dead and one survivor repatriated to Colombia. Trump said military intelligence confirmed it was “loaded up with mostly fentanyl, and other illegal narcotics.”
“At least 25,000 Americans would die if I allowed this submarine to come ashore. The two surviving terrorists are being returned to their Countries of origin, Ecuador and Colombia, for detention and prosecution,” he reported. “Under my watch, the United States of America will not tolerate narcoterrorists trafficking illegal drugs, by land or by sea.”
The president has applied similar pressure to Venezuela, telling reporters existing leadership had “offered everything” to avoid U.S. strikes. “He has offered everything. He’s offered everything. You’re right. You know why?” Trump replied. “Because he doesn’t want to f*** around with the United States.”
Republicans argue this is necessary because past aid failed to stop cartels or protect our borders. Cutting subsidies sends a clear message that American taxpayer money won’t bankroll drug networks or enable leaders who flirt with those gangs.
Six vaporized vessels (that we know of) and only two survivors so far underline that the administration intends to back words with force. The question now is whether Petro will act or force Washington to act in his stead.
