Trump and the Discredited War on Drugs

Another chapter of this novel that keeps Latin America in an extremely dangerous situation begins to be written. In his usual derisive style, far from all standards of respect and good taste, United States President Donald Trump accuses another South American leader of being linked to drug trafficking.

This time, it's the Colombian president's turn or Gustavo Petro. On his social media, Trump—who is facing massive domestic protests in the United States—has called the Latin American leader a drug trafficker who does nothing to stop drug production.

One wonders if this is nothing more than a settling of scores and the start of a new media lynching campaign against the man who joined a march for Palestine in New York, which resulted in the "kings of the world" suspending his visa to enter the United States, the country that houses the United Nations institutions, to which every president should have the right to access.

Like a boss in the Old West, Trump is attacking Petro, who today leads a nation that has been a key ally for the United States in the region. Recall that seven military bases have been installed in Colombia since 2009, supposedly to stop drug production. However, in these 16 years, the tons of these toxic substances have only increased.

What these attacks have left behind have been violations and insecurity for Colombians and neighboring countries.

Clearly, Trump is using the supposed war on drug trafficking to threaten and blackmail those who do not comply with his plans to the letter. Just as he announced that Argentina would receive money depending on who wins the elections—in a clear show of support for Milei—he now announces that Colombia's money will be cut.

"STARTING TODAY, THESE PAYMENTS, NOR ANY OTHER FORM OF PAYMENT, NOR SUBSIDIES, WILL BE MADE TO COLUMBIA," Trump declared, referring to the various ways in which dollars reach the South American country from the United States.

It’s also worth considering whether this is not simply revenge for Petro's statements, in which he accused the United States of violating Colombian waters and murdering a fisherman as part of its military actions in the crusade against drug trafficking.

“US government officials have committed murder and violated our sovereignty in territorial waters. The fisherman Alejandro Carranza had no ties to drug trafficking and his daily activity was fishing.

The Colombian boat was adrift and had a distress signal on because the engine was up. We await explanations from the US government.”

And the explanations came in the form of a stick, in the most arrogant manner possible and supported by lies.

US foreign policy has recently been characterized by being offensive. This is demonstrated by the tariff wars, blackmail, and pressure. In the specific case of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Trump administration resorts to force, the brazen use of Central Intelligence, extortion, and sanctions. It does so as if it believes it has the right to command the countries of the region at will.

Arrogant, ridiculous, brazen, or not, every action by Trump against the region represents a grave threat to the national integrity, peace, and sovereignty of the Latin American peoples.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff