America is taking back its leadership role. It’s been a long time.
But now the White House levied a huge threat against a south American nation that changes everything.
Trump Administration Decertifies Colombia in Drug War
The Trump administration added Colombia to a list of nations failing to cooperate in the drug war, marking the first such designation since 1997. This decision, a significant rebuke to a key U.S. ally, reflects a surge in cocaine production and strained relations with Colombia’s leftist president, Gustavo Petro.
Despite the decertification, the administration issued a waiver to avoid major aid cuts, citing U.S. national interests. The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime reports that coca cultivation in Colombia reached a record 253,000 hectares in 2023, nearly tripling over the past decade, while cocaine production soared to 2,600 metric tons, a 53% increase from 2022.
Although Colombia seized a record 884 metric tons of cocaine in 2024, manual eradication under Petro’s leadership dropped to 5,048 hectares in 2025, far below the 68,000 hectares eradicated in his predecessor’s final year and the government’s own target of 30,000 hectares.
Petro’s policies, including reduced eradication and refusal of U.S. extradition requests, have drawn criticism, with Trump stating, “The failure of Colombia to meet its drug control obligations over the past year rests solely with its political leadership.”
Colombia’s Urgent Need to Address Drug War Failures
Colombia must urgently strengthen its counternarcotics efforts to curb the escalating cocaine crisis, which threatens regional stability and its historic alliance with the U.S. The unprecedented surge in coca cultivation—270,000 hectares by 2025, up 70% since Petro took office in 2022—has empowered cartels and fueled instability, undermining decades of U.S.-funded progress that included $10 billion in aid to eradicate crops and bolster security.
Petro’s “Total Peace” policy, which seeks negotiations with narco-terrorist groups, has been criticized by Trump as exacerbating the crisis by allowing criminal organizations to operate with impunity.
His administration’s reduction in manual eradication to just 11,000 hectares in 2025, coupled with his rejection of aerial glyphosate spraying due to environmental concerns, has failed to meet even Colombia’s own modest goals.
Petro’s rhetoric, such as claiming “cocaine is no worse than whiskey,” and his denial of U.S. extradition requests further signal a lack of commitment to dismantling trafficking networks, risking Colombia’s economic stability and security. With 85% of U.S.-bound cocaine originating in Colombia, the nation’s inaction directly fuels drug overdoses and cartel violence, necessitating immediate, aggressive action to restore cooperation and curb production.
Trump’s Stance Vindicated by Colombia’s Policy Failures
President Trump’s decision to decertify Colombia is validated by the undeniable evidence of Petro’s ineffective leadership in the drug war, which has reversed hard-won gains and strained U.S.-Colombia relations.
The GAO-like data from the U.N. confirms a 53% spike in cocaine production under Petro, with coca cultivation tripling since 2015, directly contradicting his claim that the surge began under his predecessor, Iván Duque.
Trump’s memo to Congress accurately pins the blame on Petro’s policies, including his leniency toward narco-terrorist groups and reduced eradication efforts, which dropped from 69,000 hectares in 2022 to 9,403 in 2024.
Petro’s refusal to extradite key traffickers and his criticism of U.S. military actions, such as the September 5, strike on a Venezuelan drug vessel, further demonstrate a lack of cooperation.
The Left’s defense of Petro, exemplified by his claim that Colombia is unfairly penalized despite seizing 1,764 tonnes of cocaine since 2022, ignores the failure to address supply, which empowers cartels and threatens U.S. security. Trump’s call for aggressive action, including potential RICO charges against trafficking networks, reflects a necessary push to hold Colombia accountable, proving his foresight in addressing a critical ally’s backslide.
