Colombia Halts US Arms Purchases After Decertification

Colombia has suspended arms purchases from the United States, its largest military partner, following Washington’s decertification of the country as a key ally in the fight against drugs.

The decision comes after President Donald Trump criticized Colombian President Gustavo Petro for failing to curb cocaine production, which has surged to record highs under his leadership.

The decertification, announced by the US State Department, marks the first time in nearly three decades that Colombia has been penalized under US anti-drug legislation. While the move is largely symbolic and won’t significantly impact the $380 million in annual US assistance, it’s seen as a rebuke of Petro’s anti-drug efforts.

Petro has championed a new approach to the war on drugs, focusing on social issues rather than forced eradication.

However, coca cultivation has increased by 70% since 2022, according to government and UN estimates. Petro attributes this rise to growing global demand, particularly in Europe, and advocates for a global shift in anti-drug policy.

In response to the decertification, Petro announced that Colombia’s military will reduce its dependence on US aid, with the country’s armed forces exploring alternative means to acquire necessary resources. Colombian Interior Minister Armando Benedetti confirmed that the country will no longer purchase weapons from the US.

Despite the decertification, the US has issued a waiver, allowing aid to continue and maintaining cooperation between the two countries.

The waiver ensures that military assistance and support for manual coca eradication will persist, softening the impact of the measure.