Colombia US arms halt: Petro defends drug war policy

Colombia US arms halt sparks tensions as President Gustavo Petro defends national drug policy and rejects US pressure over cocaine crackdown. Colombia has suspended military arms purchases from the United States, escalating tensions over allegations that the South American nation is failing to curb cocaine trafficking. President Gustavo Petro and his government have strongly rejected Washington’s claims, emphasizing Colombia’s sovereignty and independence in shaping its drug policy.

Colombia Ends US Arms Deals

Colombian Interior Minister Armando Benedetti confirmed on Tuesday that the country would no longer purchase weapons from the US. The decision comes after the US officially decertified Colombia as an ally in the fight against drugs, citing record cocaine production levels.

“From this moment forward, weapons will not be purchased from the United States,” Benedetti told Blu Radio. President Petro echoed this sentiment, asserting that Colombia will not bow to foreign pressure or serve as a “puppet state” ahead of next year’s elections.

US Decertification Sparks Diplomatic Tensions

The decertification by the United States, announced by former President Donald Trump, accuses Colombia of failing to adequately combat cocaine production. While largely symbolic, this move is seen as a diplomatic setback, coming on the heels of previous disputes, including the handling of undocumented migrants deported from the US.

US aid for Colombia’s anti-narcotics efforts totals approximately $380 million annually, supporting operations against drug cartels and leftist armed groups funded by cocaine trafficking. However, Petro has downplayed concerns over this funding, insisting that Colombia’s military can operate independently of US assistance.

Petro Defends Drug Policy

President Petro, a former leftist rebel, has defended his government’s approach to the drug war, highlighting that his administration has seized more cocaine than previous governments. He criticized US actions, including the bombing of Venezuelan civilian boats allegedly linked to drug trafficking, as “erratic” and misaligned with actual drug routes.

“Most cocaine leaves ports in containers, not on small boats,” Petro stated on X (formerly Twitter).

Focus on Social Solutions Over Eradication

Since taking office in 2022, Petro has promoted a shift from the US-led eradication-focused war on drugs toward addressing the social and economic factors fueling drug cultivation. Under his administration, coca cultivation has increased by nearly 70%, with the total land used for coca reaching a record 253,000 hectares, according to UN data.

Petro attributes the rise in cultivation to global demand, particularly in Europe, and argues that the world needs a new anti-drug strategy. He also warned that US drug consumption patterns have shifted to more dangerous substances like fentanyl, which have caused significant health crises.

Colombia Asserts Independence

Petro’s stance represents a broader assertion of independence from US influence, extending beyond the drug war. He has previously opposed US extradition requests, criticized immigration crackdowns, and condemned military interventions in Latin America. Additionally, Petro cut diplomatic ties with Israel in 2024 over its war on Gaza, signaling a more autonomous foreign policy approach.

“Colombia will not kneel to foreign interests,” Petro said, emphasizing national dignity and the country’s right to define its own policies.

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