Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of engaging in politically motivated actions by decertifying Colombia, claiming that U.S. policy in Latin America is shaped by allies of drug traffickers. This accusation comes against the backdrop of growing tensions between the two nations, with Petro asserting that the decertification was not a genuine effort to combat drug trafficking but rather a tool for political leverage. The decertification, which removed Colombia from a special designation, was framed by Petro as a move to exert political influence rather than to address drug-related issues.
Petro’s comments were made in response to a recent statement from the U.S. administration regarding the state of drug policy in Latin America. He argued that the U.S. is not taking a firm stance against drug trafficking but is instead allowing certain groups to dictate the approach, which he described as a betrayal of the region’s interests. This has raised concerns among Colombian officials and citizens, who are questioning the integrity of the U.S. policy towards the region.