For decades, Colombia and the United States maintained one of Washington’s closest and most strategic alliances, primarily united by their shared objective of combating drug trafficking. This partnership involved substantial US military assistance to Colombia, with hundreds of millions of dollars flowing annually to support security forces and anti-narcotics efforts. However, in recent months, this historically strong alliance has shown signs of significant strain, reaching a precarious point under the leadership of Colombia’s left-wing President Gustavo Petro and US President Donald Trump, who returned to the White House in January.
Despite some similarities in their assertive leadership styles, Petro and Trump hail from opposite ends of the political spectrum, leading to frequent clashes between the two governments. Tensions escalated dramatically on a recent Sunday when Trump publicly accused Petro of encouraging drug production in Colombia and announced the suspension of US payments and subsidies to the South American nation. This announcement came shortly after Petro accused US officials of violating Colombian sovereignty and killing a Colombian citizen during one of the US military’s recent strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean. These military operations, which began in early September, have targeted suspected drug boats, some allegedly coming from Venezuela, further complicating diplomatic relations in the region.
Experts consulted by BBC Mundo warn that the weakening of the Colombia-US alliance could have serious consequences for both countries. They emphasize that organized crime groups stand to benefit the most from the deterioration of cooperation between Bogotá and Washington. Historically, Colombia was a major recipient of US aid, especially in the early 2000s under “Plan Colombia,” a comprehensive US-backed initiative aimed at combating drug trafficking, reducing the flow of drugs to the US, and strengthening Colombia’s security forces. This extensive investment is credited with significantly weakening the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a guerrilla group that was engaged in armed conflict with the Colombian state before officially demobilizing in 2016.
Following these military successes, US assistance to Colombia decreased and came under increasing scrutiny. While Colombia has experienced relative stability and security in recent years, some analysts question whether Plan Colombia genuinely resolved the drug problem in the long term. In fact, cocaine production in Colombia is currently at record-high levels, according to researcher Héctor Galeano from the Colombia-based Institute of Advanced Social and Cultural Studies of Latin America and the Caribbean. The cultivation of coca, the essential ingredient for cocaine, is also at historic highs, although the Colombian government asserts that the rate of crop expansion has slowed since 2021.
The ongoing US military campaign in the Caribbean, aimed at intercepting drug trafficking, ironically illustrates that the drug trade remains an unresolved priority for Washington. While Plan Colombia helped strengthen Colombian security forces, this militarization had unintended consequences. Paramilitary groups became implicated in abuses against civilians, and some former members of these groups later entered the drug trafficking business. Additionally, the large number of military personnel trained during the early 2000s created a pool of young, retired soldiers, some of whom have been accused of becoming mercenaries in foreign conflicts.
Even with reduced funding in recent years, US aid to Colombia remains significant. According to estimates by the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), a US-based research organization, Colombia received over $400 million in US aid in 2024. Elizabeth Dickinson, an analyst with the International Crisis Group, described Colombia as “by far, the closest US partner in the fight against narcotics in all of Latin America.” She highlighted nearly three decades of US investment, training, and close coordination with Colombian security forces. This alliance has created a mutual reliance: Colombia has one of Latin America’s most powerful militaries, thanks in part to US support, while Washington depends heavily on Colombian intelligence and cooperation for counter-narcotics operations. For instance, about 80% of the intelligence the US uses to intercept drugs in the Caribbean reportedly comes from Colombia.
US involvement in Colombia has extended beyond military aid. Through USAID, Washington’s foreign policy and development agency, Colombia launched various peace and development projects, particularly targeting poor and conflict-affected areas. However, earlier this year, the Trump administration effectively dismantled USAID, leading to the cancellation of many initiatives in Colombia, which had been the agency’s largest beneficiary in the region. This resulted in dozens of lost jobs and curtailed development efforts. According to Dickinson, other sources of American aid to Colombia come from the State Department, which provides civilian and defense funding for communications, intelligence, and equipment such as helicopters. These resources are crucial