2LT International News

BOGOTA, Colombia: Colombian President Gustavo Petro said this week that a suspension of U.S. aid would not significantly affect his country, though cuts to military support could cause problems.

Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on Colombia and claimed that all U.S. funding to the country had been stopped.

Colombia used to be one of the biggest recipients of U.S. aid in the Americas, but the flow of money dropped sharply this year after the shutdown of USAID, the U.S. government’s humanitarian aid agency. However, military cooperation between the two countries has continued.

“If they take away the aid, in my opinion, nothing happens,” Petro told reporters, explaining that most of the money goes through U.S. agencies and mainly benefits Americans.
“But if they cut military aid, that’s different,” he added, noting that losing U.S. helicopters would have a profound impact.

The Trump administration has already downgraded Colombia’s efforts to fight drug trafficking, opening the door to more cuts. Still, some U.S. military personnel remain in Colombia, and both nations continue to share intelligence.

Petro criticized U.S. military attacks on boats in the Caribbean, which have killed dozens of people and raised regional tensions. Human rights groups and legal experts have also condemned the strikes.

Trump responded by calling Petro an “illegal drug leader” and a “bad guy,” language that Colombia’s government said was disrespectful.

In protest, Petro recalled Colombia’s ambassador to Washington but later met with the top U.S. diplomat in Bogotá over the weekend.

Although Trump has not announced new tariffs beyond the current 10 percent on Colombian goods, he warned that stronger measures could come. Petro said he doubted Trump would target oil and coal — which make up 60 percent of Colombia’s exports to the U.S. — and that other industries could find new markets if tariffs rise.

Analysts warn that raising tariffs would reverse years of U.S. policy promoting legal trade as an alternative to drug trafficking, and could actually strengthen the drug trade.

Despite struggling to control rebel and criminal areas, Petro said his government has seized a record 2,800 metric tons of cocaine in three years, partly due to tighter inspections at Pacific ports.

He also accused Trump of trying to boost Colombia’s far-right parties ahead of next year’s elections.