Colombia Recalls Ambassador After Trump Calls President Petro ‘Drug Leader’

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Colombia has recalled its ambassador to the United States amid escalating diplomatic tensions triggered by remarks from US President Donald Trump. Trump had referred to Colombian President Gustavo Petro as “an illegal drug leader” and announced that US aid to the South American nation would be cut.

The statement sparked strong backlash from Bogotá, which denounced Trump’s comments as “offensive and baseless,” reaffirming the Colombian government’s commitment to democratic governance and anti-narcotics cooperation.

In an official statement, Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Trump’s remarks, calling them “a serious misrepresentation of Colombia’s leadership and sovereignty.” The government added that it would take the issue to international diplomatic bodies, describing the remarks as damaging to bilateral relations built over decades of cooperation.

Foreign Minister Rosa Mapy confirmed that Ambassador Daniel García-Peña had been recalled to Bogotá for consultations. She emphasized that Colombia expects “respectful and responsible dialogue” from all political leaders in Washington.

The move marks one of the sharpest diplomatic escalations between the two countries in recent years. It comes as US military operations near Venezuela have stirred regional unease, with Colombia accusing Washington of overstepping its sovereignty and conducting operations that could affect border security.

Observers note that the recall reflects Bogotá’s growing frustration with what it perceives as political interference in its domestic affairs. While the Petro administration has often faced criticism for its progressive approach to drug policy, it has maintained ongoing coordination with US agencies in counter-narcotics and security operations.

In a related development, President Gustavo Petro announced that Colombia would pursue legal action after a US military strike allegedly hit a Colombian fisherman’s boat within the country’s national waters. The government called the incident “a violation of international law” and vowed to seek accountability through diplomatic channels.

As tensions heighten, both nations now face renewed pressure to restore dialogue and prevent further disruption in their long-standing bilateral partnership.