For years, the United States and Colombia have maintained one of Washington’s closest alliances, united in their dedicated fight against the pervasive drug trade. This collaboration has historically seen Colombia receive substantial US military aid annually, fostering a strong working relationship between the two nations.
However, this crucial partnership now appears more fragile than ever. Despite sharing a forceful communication style, left-wing President Gustavo Petro of Colombia and former US President Donald Trump hail from opposing political ideologies. Their relationship has been marked by frequent clashes since Trump’s return to the White House. Tensions reached a critical point when Trump accused Petro of encouraging drug production in Colombia, leading to the suspension of US payments and subsidies to the South American country. This move followed Petro’s accusations that US officials had been involved in the death of a Colombian citizen and had violated national sovereignty during US military strikes against alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean.
Experts interviewed by BBC Mundo warn that the weakening of this alliance could have significant repercussions, potentially leaving both Colombia and the United States vulnerable while organized crime groups stand to benefit.
The deep-rooted US-Colombia alliance began in the early 2000s with “Plan Colombia.” This US-funded initiative was designed to combat drug trafficking organizations, curtail drug flow into the US, and bolster Colombia’s security forces. The plan is credited with playing a role in weakening the Farc guerrilla group, which demobilized in 2016 after years of conflict. While Plan Colombia achieved notable successes in security and weakened armed groups, some analysts question its long-term effectiveness in resolving the drug problem, as cocaine production in Colombia remains at historically high levels.
The US military’s ongoing campaign against drug trafficking in the Caribbean underscores the persistent challenge of drugs in the region and their continued priority for Washington. The strengthening of Colombian security forces through Plan Colombia has had complex outcomes, including the involvement of paramilitary groups in civilian abuses and former members rejoining drug trafficking operations. Furthermore, the substantial military presence in the early 2000s led to a large pool of retired soldiers, some of whom have reportedly engaged in mercenary work.
Despite reduced funding in recent years, US aid to Colombia remains significant, exceeding $400 million in 2024. Colombia continues to be a vital partner for the US in counter-narcotics efforts, with approximately 80% of US intelligence for drug interdictions in the Caribbean originating from Colombia. This interdependence highlights the potential damage that current tensions could inflict on national security for both countries.
The Trump administration’s decision to dismantle USAID, a key provider of development aid, has also impacted Colombia, a major recipient of its programs. Numerous projects have been canceled, and jobs lost. Beyond direct financial aid, the institutional relationship between the two nations in combating shared threats is crucial, as evidenced by the co-ordination of high-value operations and intelligence sharing.
The current strain on the US-Colombia alliance comes at a particularly challenging time. President Petro is striving to achieve “total peace” in Colombia, a goal threatened by resurgent attacks from armed groups and the recent assassination of a presidential candidate. Meanwhile, Trump’s aggressive stance against drug traffickers has led to controversial military operations. Petro has openly criticized these actions, calling them “acts of tyranny” and urging international prosecution against Trump. This diplomatic friction, coupled with the suspension of US aid, raises concerns about further deterioration of relations and potential negative consequences for regional security.