Copyright thejournal
We need your help now Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open. You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough. If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it. One-off amount I already contribute Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you. An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. Investigates Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates Daft.ie Property Allianz Home The 42 Sport TG4 Entertainment The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories Trump cuts financial aid to Colombia, accusing leader of failing to stop drug trafficking The US president warned that Colombian leader Petro “better close up” drug operations as he plans to cut foreign payments 12.32pm, 20 Oct 2025 Share options US PRESIDENT DONALD Trump has said he is cutting aid payments to Colombia, accusing its leader of failing to prevent the production of drugs like cocaine. He also flagged plans to increase tariffs on Colombia, while around the same time, the Pentagon confirmed it had attacked an alleged Colombian rebel group vessel off the coast of South America. Trump announced yesterday that federal payments to Colombia would be slashed, accusing the Colombian President Gustavo Petro of “doing nothing” to stop the production of drugs within the country. In a social media post, Trump warned Petro that he “better close up” drug operations “or the United States will close them up for him, and it won’t be done nicely”. Colombia, one of the US’s closest Southern American allies, received an estimated $230m from the US in the past fiscal year, a drop from recent years that exceeded $700m, due to the Trump administration’s cuts to foreign assistance programme USAID. It is currently unclear if all of these payments will be slashed. Advertisement Later in the day, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that Colombia has “no fight against drugs” and “they are a drug manufacturing machine” with “a lunatic” for a president. He further added that he would announce new tariffs on Colombia today. Colombia currently pays 10% tariffs on most imports to the United States, which is the baseline rate Trump has imposed on many countries. In posts made to X yesterday afternoon, Petro rejected Trump’s accusations and defended his government’s efforts to fight drug trafficking in Colombia, the world’s largest exporter of cocaine. “Trying to promote peace in Colombia is not being a drug trafficker,” Petro wrote and accused Trump of being “rude and ignorant” towards the country. The Colombian president also described the US’s anti-drug policy, commonly known as the War on Drugs, as a “failed strategy” and as “only an excuse to control Latin America”. The Colombian Foreign Ministry described Trump’s comments as a “direct threat to national sovereignty by proposing an illegal intervention in Colombian territory.” Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a US strike on Friday on a vessel affiliated with Colombia’s National Liberation Army, or ELN , which killed three crew members onboard. Hegseth said the vessel was traveling in international waters in an area under the purview of the US Southern Command, which oversees US military operations in Latin America, though he did not specify where. With additional reporting by AFP and Press Association Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Support The Journal Faye Madden View 5 comments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Trump cuts financial aid to Colombia, accusing leader of failing to stop drug trafficking”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Trump cuts financial aid to Colombia, accusing leader of failing to stop drug trafficking”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. Racism or Hate speech An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs. Trolling or Off-topic An attempt to derail the discussion. Inappropriate language Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs. Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts. Please provide additional information Thank you for the feedback Your feedback has been sent to our team for review. Leave a commentcancel Newly created accounts can only comment using The Journal app. This is to add an extra layer of security to account creation. Download and sign into the app to continue. Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion drug trafficking News in 60 seconds amazon web services 'Signs of recovery' after Snapchat, Slack and major banking apps disrupted by services outage Final Stretch 'A new low': Connolly hits out at Humphreys' comments as campaign enters final week Anger after Israeli police cancel Tel Aviv derby 24 mins ago engine problems Plane that skidded off Hong Kong runway made emergency landing in Shannon in 2021 43 mins ago Newry Crown Court Trial of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson and wife Eleanor delayed again Bank of Ireland Bank of Ireland could have to pay €400m in compensation over UK car loans scandal The Daily Poll Do you like rainy days? the final stretch Fine Gael accused of using 'Trump playbook' in campaign against Connolly 'Priceless' jewellery stolen from Louvre museum, French Minister says the beer wars Galway market's beer tent won't have its traditional steins from Monday to Thursday The Morning Lead Tusla didn't follow up on 80% of referrals in parts of Dublin in first three months of 2025 Stephen McDermott more from us Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online
