Colombia remembers ambassador to US as inside minister slams Trump's 'invasion' menace

[ad_1] Colombia on Monday stated its ambassador to the USA had been recalled, as a public feud between the nations' leaders heats up with President Donald Trump revoking support and threatening punishing tariffs.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has objected to the US army's strikes in opposition to vessels within the Caribbean, which have killed dozens of individuals and infected tensions within the area.

Trump on Sunday vowed to finish support to the South American nation, a traditionally shut US companion, accusing his leftist Colombian counterpart of being an "unlawful drug chief".

He additionally stated he could be making an announcement on tariffs focusing on Colombia on Monday. The oil-producing nation at present pays 10 % tariffs on most imports to the US, the baseline degree Trump has imposed on many international locations.

Learn extra US revokes visa for Colombian President Petro over 'incendiary' feedback

Colombia's inside minister on Monday voiced anger at Trump for threatening what he described as a possible "invasion" of his nation.

Trump had angrily lashed out on Sunday at Petro, saying on social media that he "higher shut up" drug cultivation websites, "or the USA will shut them up for him, and it will not be finished properly".

In a Blu Radio interview, Colombian Inside Minister Armando Benedetti referred to as the remarks a "menace of invasion or army motion in opposition to Colombia".

"I can not think about closing down some hectares except it is in that means, except it is by invading," he stated.

The threats got here as the USA introduced it had struck one other alleged drug-running vessel in worldwide waters, killing three folks.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth alleged that the boat was affiliated with a Colombian armed group, the Nationwide Liberation Military.

Petro on Sunday condemned the bombing, saying the boat belonged to a "humble household".

That strike got here on the heels of one other assault – on a semi-submersible vessel – that left two survivors, certainly one of whom was Colombian.

US-Colombia drug commerce feud escalates

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<img fetchpriority="low" src="https://s.france24.com/media/display/6be39660-ad92-11f0-ab2e-005056bf30b7/w:1280/p:16x9/EN-20251020-101319-101932-CS.jpg" srcset="https://s.france24.com/media/display/6be39660-ad92-11f0-ab2e-005056bf30b7/w:388/p:16x9/EN-20251020-101319-101932-CS.jpg 388w,https://s.france24.com/media/display/6be39660-ad92-11f0-ab2e-005056bf30b7/w:720/p:16x9/EN-20251020-101319-101932-CS.jpg 720w,https://s.france24.com/media/display/6be39660-ad92-11f0-ab2e-005056bf30b7/w:1024/p:16x9/EN-20251020-101319-101932-CS.jpg 1024w,https://s.france24.com/media/display/6be39660-ad92-11f0-ab2e-005056bf30b7/w:1280/p:16x9/EN-20251020-101319-101932-CS.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) calc(100vw - 32px), (max-width: 1076px) calc(100vw - 44px), 850px" width="1280" height="720" alt=" US-Colombia drug trade feud escalates" loading="lazy" class="a-img "/> © France 24 Colombia's overseas ministry has vowed to hunt worldwide assist for Petro, who first rose to prominence as a senator by exposing hyperlinks between right-wing paramilitary teams concerned in drug trafficking and corrupt politicians, in addition to for the nation's autonomy.

Petro, who has clashed with Trump because the US chief returned to energy in January, has fiercely criticised the lethal anti-drug marketing campaign within the Caribbean.

He has accused Trump of homicide and of violating Colombia's sovereignty.

Colombia's Ambassador Daniel Garcia Pena has already returned to Bogota, the overseas ministry stated Monday in an announcement, including Petro's authorities could be making additional bulletins throughout the day.

Till now, Colombia has obtained extra US support than every other nation in South America – $740 million in 2023, in accordance with US authorities figures. Half of this went to combating drug trafficking.

The tough verbal exchanges have taken relations between two historic allies to their lowest level in a long time.

Final month, Washington introduced it had decertified Colombia as an ally within the struggle in opposition to medicine. Colombia hit again by halting arms purchases from the USA, its largest army companion.

Since coming to energy in 2022, leftist Petro has championed a paradigm shift within the US-led conflict on medicine, away from pressured eradication to concentrate on the social issues that gas drug trafficking.

Below his watch, cultivation of coca, the uncooked materials of cocaine, has elevated by about 70 %, in accordance with the Colombian authorities and United Nations estimates.

Colombia, an enormous exporter of oil, coal, espresso, flowers and bananas, posted a $338 million commerce deficit with the US between January and July, in accordance with authorities statistics company DANE.

Traders from the US invested $2.27 billion in Colombia within the first half of the 12 months, in accordance with central financial institution figures, some 34 % of whole overseas funding obtained throughout that interval.