President Donald Trump stated on Sunday night time he would elevate tariffs on Colombia and cease all funds to the South American nation, escalating a feud that stems from the US navy’s strikes on vessels allegedly transporting medicine within the area.
Earlier within the day, Trump referred to as Colombian President Gustavo Petro an “unlawful drug chief,” whereas Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth stated US forces had attacked a vessel related to a Colombian insurgent group.
Petro stated the boat belonged to a “humble household,” not a insurgent group, whereas his authorities referred to as Trump’s remarks offensive.
Trump’s newest feedback marked a brand new low in relations between Washington and Bogota, which Trump accuses of being complicit within the illicit drug commerce. “They don’t have a struggle towards medicine — they make medicine,” Trump instructed reporters aboard Air Drive One.
Petro has objected to the US navy’s strikes towards vessels within the Caribbean, which have killed dozens of individuals and infected tensions within the area. Many authorized consultants and human rights activists have additionally condemned the extraordinary sequence of navy actions.
Trump stated US monetary help can be minimize off to the nation and particulars in regards to the new tariffs can be unveiled on Monday.
“I’m stopping all funds to Colombia,” he stated.
It was not clear what funding assist Trump was referring to.
Colombia was as soon as among the many largest recipients of US help within the Western Hemisphere, however the move of cash was instantly curtailed this 12 months by the shuttering of USAID, the US authorities’s humanitarian help arm.
Colombia presently pays 10% tariffs on most imports to america, the baseline degree Trump has imposed on many international locations.
Colombia’s international ministry vowed to hunt worldwide assist in protection of Petro and the nation’s autonomy. “These accusations signify a particularly severe act and undermine the dignity of the president of Colombians,” it stated in an announcement.
ANOTHER ATTACK
Hegseth wrote on X that the Pentagon had destroyed a vessel and killed three individuals on Friday “within the USSOUTHCOM space of accountability,” which incorporates the Caribbean.
He stated the ship was affiliated with the leftist insurgent group Nationwide Liberation Military and was concerned in illicit narcotics smuggling, with out providing proof to again the declare.
The Pentagon stated it had nothing so as to add past Hegseth’s preliminary submit.
Petro condemned the bombing, saying the boat belonged to a “humble household,” not the Nationwide Liberation Military. He additionally hit again at Trump’s remarks.
“Mr. Trump, Colombia has by no means been impolite to america… however you’re impolite and ignorant to Colombia,” Petro stated on X.
“Since I’m not a businessman, I’m even much less a drug trafficker. There isn’t a greed in my coronary heart.”
Earlier this month, Petro stated one of many strikes hit a Colombian vessel, an allegation the Trump administration denied.
Final month, america revoked Petro’s visa after he joined a pro-Palestinian demonstration in New York and urged US troopers to disobey Trump’s orders.
Colombia is preventing its personal longstanding drug issues. Final 12 months, Petro pledged to tame coca-growing areas within the nation with huge social and navy intervention, however the technique has introduced little success.
In September, Trump designated international locations equivalent to Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, Colombia and Venezuela amongst these america believes to have “failed demonstrably” in upholding counternarcotics agreements through the previous 12 months.
