Colombia Recalls US Ambassador Amid Escalating Diplomatic Row Over Tariffs and Drug Policy

On 20 October, Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement announcing that Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio had informed the public that Ambassador Daniel García-Peña had been recalled by President Gustavo Petro.

The diplomatic move follows accusations and threats from the United States. On 19 October, US President Donald Trump accused Colombian President Petro of condoning drug production, announcing the suspension of all subsidies to Colombia and plans to impose tariffs. President Trump further warned that if Petro did not immediately shut down these drug-producing regions, the US would take direct action and would not be polite.

President Petro responded to President Trump on social media, stating that Colombia had never been disrespectful to the US, but that President Trump had been rude and ignorant towards Colombia. He stated that unlike President Trump, he was not a businessman and had no greed in his heart.

He advised President Trump to 'get his facts straight' before making reckless statements, cautioning against being misled, as Colombia's drug cartels' primary adversary 'is precisely me, Petro'. President Petro had previously asserted that US 'greed' for Venezuela and Guyana's oil reserves was the driving force behind US missile attacks on Caribbean fishermen.

Colombia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement that day strongly protesting President Trump's threats to cut aid and his personal attacks on President Petro, and firmly opposing the US's use of international cooperation as a tool for interfering in other countries' internal affairs. The statement condemned the US declaration as containing direct threats to Colombia's sovereignty, with its interventionist rhetoric violating all international law and diplomatic norms.

Petro: No Concessions

On 20 October, President Petro met with the Chargé d'Affaires at the US Embassy in Colombia, Mr. McNamara. President Petro stated that he discussed new tariffs targeting Colombia and bilateral trade agreements with Mr. McNamara, whose attitude was 'very official'.

President Petro reiterated that the bilateral free trade agreement has been effectively suspended due to unilateral decisions by the US government. He stated the imposition of 10% tariffs already violates this agreement. He emphasised that he will not yield.

Persistent Tensions

Colombia has historically been a traditional ally of the United States in Latin America. Since President Trump resumed office in January this year, bilateral relations have remained strained, with frequent friction over immigration, tariffs, and counter-narcotics issues.

On 15 September, the US determined that Colombia had failed to effectively fulfil its international counter-narcotics obligations in the previous year, terminating its counter-narcotics partnership with Colombia. Colombia promptly announced it would cease purchasing arms from the US.

On 26 September, President Petro participated in a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside the UN headquarters in New York. The US State Department revoked his visa that same day, citing President Petro's 'urging American soldiers to disobey orders and inciting violence'.

Michael Schiff, former president of the Inter-American Dialogue research centre, stated during a dialogue event on 20 October that the US is no longer a reliable partner. Spain's El País reported on 20 October that Mr. Schiff believes 'Trumpism' may paradoxically drive the region towards greater integration.