In brief
As tensions escalate between the US and Colombia, stemming from accusations of drug production and military actions, experts warn of the fragility of this historically strong alliance. The clash between President Trump and President Petro raises concerns about the future of bilateral relations and the potential gains for organized crime amidst diminishing cooperation.
For decades it was one of Washington's closest alliances. United in their fight against drug trafficking, Colombia and the United States co-operated closely, with the latter receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in US military assistance annually. But now that alliance appears to be more fragile than ever. The leaders of the two countries may have a similar style - forceful and not prone to mincing their words - but left-wing Gustavo Petro and Donald Trump come from opposing ends of the political spectrum and have clashed frequently since Trump returned to the White House in January.On Sunday, tensions reached their highest point when Trump accused Petro of encouraging drug production in Colombia and announced the suspension of payments and subsidies to the South American country. This came after Petro had in turn accused US officials of murdering a Colombian citizen and violating his country's sovereignty in one of the multiple strikes that the US military has carried out against alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean since early September.BBC Mundo spoke to experts who warned that with the alliance in jeopardy, both Colombia and the US could be at risk of losing out while organized crime groups look set to benefit.Colombia became one of the main beneficiaries of US aid in the early 2000s, with the money going towards 'Plan Colombia' - a US-funded initiative to combat drug trafficking groups, reduce the flow of drugs to the US, and strengthen the Colombian security forces. Despite initial successes against armed groups, cocaine production is currently at record-high levels in Colombia.Formerly a model partnership, the deterioration of US-Colombian relations has culminated in aid reductions and an increasingly confrontational dialogue, with both leaders accusing the other of negligence in combatting drug trafficking. Analysts argue that this could empower criminal organizations while undermining efforts to stabilize the region.As both governments face internal struggles, the alliance's future hangs in the balance, with increasing antagonism fostering an environment where organized crime may thrive amid weakened state control.
