Escalating Tensions as Trump Cuts Aid to Colombia

US President Donald Trump has announced that the US will no longer provide aid to Colombia, citing the country's failure to stop drug production under President Gustavo Petro. Trump labelled Petro an 'illegal drug leader' and accused him of encouraging drug production. The decision comes amid escalating tensions between the US and Colombia, following a US military strike on a Colombian boat in September that killed a fisherman. Petro had accused the US of violating Colombia's sovereignty and committing 'murder'. The US provided over $740m in aid to Colombia in 2023, but Trump said the aid would be halted because Petro 'does nothing' to stop drug production.

The Trump administration has carried out a seventh strike on an alleged drug-carrying vessel, killing three people, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The strike targeted a boat linked to the Colombian guerrilla group Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), which the US considers a terrorist organization. The administration has been conducting these strikes in international waters, arguing that the narcotics smuggled by these groups constitute an 'armed attack' on the US. The strikes have drawn criticism from lawmakers, who question the legal justification, and from the Venezuelan and Colombian governments. At least 32 people have been killed in these strikes so far.

The U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago has issued a warning to American citizens, advising them to avoid U.S. government facilities due to heightened tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. The alert is linked to threats against American citizens in Trinidad and Tobago, which may be connected to the ongoing tensions in the region. The tensions are a result of recent U.S. military strikes targeting suspected drug traffickers in Caribbean waters, resulting in the deaths of at least 19 people. The Trinidad and Tobago authorities have implemented security measures to address potential situations, but have not shared specific details about the threats. The U.S. and Venezuela are experiencing increased tensions, with President Trump stating that the U.S. will not tolerate 'narcoterrorists' trafficking illegal drugs.

The US military conducted a strike on a drug smuggling vessel affiliated with Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN), killing three alleged narco-terrorists. The strike occurred in international waters on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the direction of President Donald Trump. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the strike, stating that the vessel was involved in illicit narcotics smuggling and was transporting substantial amounts of narcotics. Colombian President Gustavo Petro disputed the claim, stating that the vessel was a fishing boat belonging to a humble family. The strike is part of Trump's broader effort to dismantle transnational cartels by force, with the death toll from the Trump administration's military campaign against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the region reaching at least 31.

The US military conducted an airstrike on a semi-submersible vessel in the Caribbean, suspected of trafficking illegal narcotics, resulting in two deaths and two survivors who were later repatriated to Colombia and Ecuador. The operation was part of a campaign ordered by the Trump administration to target 'narcoterrorists trafficking illegal drugs'. The US president, Donald Trump, posted footage of the operation on Truth Social, claiming the vessel was loaded with mostly Fentanyl and other illegal narcotics. The strike has raised concerns about the legality of the military operations, with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro denying any connection to drug smuggling and claiming the US boat strikes are a pretext for regime change.

The United States, under President Donald Trump, has announced plans to slash assistance to Colombia and impose tariffs on its exports due to the country's alleged failure to stop drug production. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has rejected Trump's accusations, defending his efforts to combat narcotics and accusing Trump of being 'rude and ignorant' towards Colombia. The move escalates tensions between the two nations, with potential implications for their long-standing alliance and cooperation on drug trafficking. Trump's decision has been criticized by analysts, who warn of 'catastrophic effects' on the relationship and Colombia's military capabilities.