Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Monday that the United States has decertified Colombia as an ally in the fight against drugs, confirming a move that could potentially cost Bogotá hundreds of millions of dollars in US military aid.
Petro, addressing a cabinet meeting, said: “The United States is decertifying us after dozens of deaths of police officers and soldiers” in the ongoing fight against drug cartels and leftist guerrillas funded by drug trafficking.
The decision is widely seen as a measure by US President Donald Trump to penalise Colombia, the world’s largest cocaine producer, for failing to curb coca cultivation—the primary ingredient in cocaine—and prevent the drug’s trafficking to global markets.
Context and US Anti-Drug Actions
- The move comes amid Trump’s aggressive campaign against drug cartels, during which US forces destroyed two suspected Venezuelan drug vessels, killing a total of 14 people.
- Since taking office in 2022, Petro has advocated a paradigm shift in the US-led war on drugs, promoting solutions that address social conditions fueling drug trafficking rather than purely militarised measures
Coca Cultivation and Guerrilla Activity
| Aspect | Details |
| Coca cultivation | Increased by approximately 70% since 2022, according to Colombian government and UN estimates |
| Guerrilla involvement | Left-wing guerrilla groups have allegedly exploited peace negotiations to expand drug operations |
| Impact | Military and police forces face significant challenges amid deadly guerrilla attacks |
Implications for Colombia
The decertification is a significant setback for Colombia, particularly as its military and police forces struggle with a surge in guerrilla attacks.
Washington’s decision to decertify Petro had been anticipated since January, following a heated dispute between Petro and Trump over migrant deportations.
