"In a social media post, Trump referred to Petro as "an illegal drug leader" who is "low rated and very unpopular." The Republican president warned that Petro "better close up" drug operations "or the United States will close them up for him, and it won't be done nicely." Later in the day, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that Colombia has "no fight against drugs" and "they are a drug manufacturing machine" with "a lunatic" for a president."
"Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also announced the latest U.S. strike on a vessel that was allegedly carrying "substantial amounts of narcotics." He said the vessel was associated with a Colombian rebel group the National Liberation Army, or ELN that has been in conflict with Petro's government. He did not provide any evidence for his assertions, but he shared a brief video clip of a boat engulfed in flames after an explosion on Friday."
The United States will slash assistance to Colombia and enact tariffs on Colombian exports, citing alleged failure to stop drug production. President Trump labeled Gustavo Petro an "illegal drug leader," called him "low rated and very unpopular," and warned that the U.S. could close drug operations if Colombia does not. The U.S. announced a strike on a vessel said to carry substantial narcotics and linked to the ELN, while providing no evidence and sharing a video of a burning boat. Petro rejected the accusations, defended anti-narcotics efforts, called himself the main enemy of drugs, and criticized the U.S. remarks as a threat to sovereignty.
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