Background on Gustavo Petro and His Relevance
Gustavo Petro, the current President of Colombia, has been in office since August 2018. A former guerrilla member turned senator, Petro has been a prominent figure in Colombian politics. His progressive policies and strong stance against corruption have earned him both supporters and critics. As his term nears its end in August 2022, Petro’s relationship with the United States has been strained due to disagreements with former President Donald Trump.
US Military Aid Suspension and Its Consequences
On Thursday, during a press conference in Bogotá, Petro stated that the suspension of financial aid from the United States would have no implications for Colombia. However, he acknowledged that the suspension of military aid would indeed have consequences.
- What if they take away the aid? Petro mentioned, “In my opinion, nothing significant would happen. We’d face occasional problems.” He explained that the aid primarily benefits non-governmental organizations (NGOs) funded by USAID, which is largely aimed at creating employment opportunities in the United States.
- Military aid issues: Petro added, “We do have some problems with military aid. If they take that away, including helicopters, it would be the most significant issue.”
The strained relations between Colombia and the United States have worsened due to heated exchanges between Trump and Petro, particularly regarding US military operations against alleged drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean.
- US military operations: Since early September, the US military has conducted seven bombing runs against suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and two in the Pacific, resulting in at least 37 deaths. These actions are part of Trump’s intensified campaign against drug trafficking, which has heightened tensions between the US and Venezuela as well as Colombia.
Petro’s Stance on Potential Tariffs
Meanwhile, Petro downplayed the likelihood of Trump imposing tariffs on petroleum and coal, while suggesting that Colombia could lessen the impact on other exported goods.
- Export impact: Petro stated that only 10% of Colombia’s exports to the US would be affected if tariffs were raised. Currently, Colombia pays a 10% tariff on most of its exports to the US, which was one of the base rates Trump imposed on numerous countries.
- Historical context: Colombia was once a significant recipient of US aid in the Western Hemisphere. However, the flow of funds drastically decreased this year following the closure of USAID, the US government’s humanitarian assistance agency.
- Military and police support: The Colombian military forces and national police receive substantial resources from the US to maintain aircraft and combat drug trafficking and illegal armed groups, such as leftist guerrillas.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue between Colombia and the US? The primary point of contention is the suspension of military aid from the United States, which could impact Colombia’s ability to maintain its aircraft and combat drug trafficking and illegal armed groups.
- How has Petro responded to the potential tariffs? Petro believes it is unlikely that Trump will impose tariffs on petroleum and coal, and he suggests that Colombia can mitigate the impact on other exported goods.
- What are the consequences of US military operations in the Caribbean and Pacific? These operations have resulted in at least 37 deaths and heightened tensions between the US, Venezuela, and Colombia.
