Trump calls Petro a drug trafficker and announces a "heavy-handed" U.S. crackdown on Colombia.

The President of the United States (US), Donald J. Trump , launched strong accusations against his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro , whom he described as “leader of illegal drug trafficking” and announced that he would suspend all economic aid to Colombia .

In a message posted on social media, Trump claimed that Petro “strongly encourages massive drug production in large and small fields throughout Columbia ,” and asserted that “it has become the biggest business in the country , by far.”

The former US president also stated that his administration would stop sending funds to Bogotá : "Starting today, these payments, or any other form of payment or subsidy , will no longer be made to Colombia. The purpose of this drug production is the sale of massive quantities of product to the United States, causing death, destruction, and chaos."

He also warned that if Petro didn't act against illicit crops , " the United States will shut them down for him, and it won't be pleasant." These statements prompted an immediate response from Gustavo Petro, who defended his administration and questioned Trump 's views on Latin America and history.

“I respect the history, culture, and people of the United States. They are not my enemies, nor do I consider them that way. The problem is with Trump, not with the United States. Trump simply doesn't understand how millions of young Americans could go and fight for what seemed like an alien cause: the war in Europe. They were fighting for humanity. Trump doesn't understand the concept of humanity, ” Petro stated.

The Colombian president also strongly rejected the accusations of drug trafficking. “ Trying to promote peace in Colombia is not being a drug trafficker ,” he maintained. “ Trump is deceived by his lodges and advisors. The main enemy drug trafficking had in Colombia was me, the one who discovered its connections with political power. I recommend Trump read Colombia carefully and determine which side the drug traffickers are on and which the Democrats are on.”