U.S. President Donald Trump announced on October 19th, 2025, that he is ending subsidies to Colombia and accused President Gustavo Petro of being an "illegal drug leader." The move follows Colombia's assertion that a U.S. military attack on a boat in September killed a Colombian fisherman and violated the nation's sovereignty. President Petro stated on October 19th, 2025, that the boat attacked on September 16th was Colombian, had issued a distress signal with one engine up due to damage, and was likely in Colombian waters. He identified the victim as lifelong fisherman Alejandro Carranza, who has not returned home. Petro has alerted the Attorney General's Office and requested immediate protection for victim relatives, suggesting they associate with victims from Trinidad and Tobago to pursue legal action in the U.S. justice system. Trump made his accusations on the social media platform Truth Social, claiming Petro is responsible for fueling drug production that harms the United States. This diplomatic spat escalates regional tensions between the two nations, with Colombia asserting its sovereignty was violated by the U.S. military action. In a statement translated from Spanish, Petro also requested immediate action from the Attorney General's Office to protect the relatives of the victim. He suggested forming a legal alliance with victims from Trinidad and Tobago to pursue legal avenues both internationally and within the U.S. legal framework. This dispute has led to significant repercussions, with the U.S. president directly criticizing his Colombian counterpart and withdrawing financial aid. The incident involving the boat attack, which occurred on September 16th, has become a focal point of contention between the two governments.
