Colombia has been placed on the United States’ list of countries that “fail to co-operate” in fighting drug trafficking for the first time since 1997. President Gustavo Petro’s government is being blamed for the record cocaine output, according to a report by the Financial Times.
In a statement to Congress, Donald Trump highlighted that Colombia’s “coca cultivation and cocaine production have reached record highs” and criticized the government for failing to meet its coca eradication goals. He stated that Bogotá had jeopardized the years of co-operation between the two countries in combating narco-terrorists.
Colombia, known as the world’s top cocaine producer, had 253,000 hectares of coca under cultivation in 2023, producing over 2,600 tonnes, according to UN data.
Petro, a former guerrilla who has suggested legalizing cocaine, condemned the US decision, emphasizing the sacrifices made by Colombian police, soldiers, and civilians to prevent drugs from reaching North America. He criticized the move as being more about North American interests than the well-being of the Colombian people.
The Financial Times, while critical of Petro’s approach, reported that Trump commended Colombia’s security forces for their efforts against terrorist and criminal groups. The US also granted a waiver to continue programs that align with US interests, potentially preserving military cooperation.
The escalation in tensions reflects a shift in Colombia’s anti-narcotics strategy under Petro’s “Total Peace” policy, focusing on intercepting drug shipments at sea rather than eradication campaigns. This comes after years of close collaboration with the US under Plan Colombia, which provided over $10 billion in military aid from 2000 to 2016.
The US decision coincides with recent strikes on Venezuelan drug cartels in the Caribbean and a broader crackdown on drug trafficking in the region.
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