Tensions Rise as U. S. Cuts Aid to Colombia

The U. S. has decided to stop sending aid to Colombia. President Trump said this is because Colombia's leader, President Petro, isn't doing enough to stop drug production. Trump called Petro some harsh names and said he better take action or the U. S. will. Colombia's defense minister defended Petro, saying Colombia has been fighting drug trafficking and has lost many people doing so. Trump made these comments from his home in Florida. He said Petro is encouraging drug production and that U. S. money given to Colombia is being wasted. He said no more money will be sent to Colombia. Trump also said Petro has been disrespectful to the U. S. Around the same time, the U. S. Defense Secretary announced a strike on a boat linked to a Colombian rebel group, the ELN. The boat was carrying drugs, and three people were killed. The U. S. has been doing these strikes, saying they are targeting drug traffickers. Petro said the U. S. killed a fisherman in one of these strikes and demanded answers. The ELN has denied involvement in drug trafficking, but Colombian authorities often find drug labs and drugs linked to the group. The U. S. has accused Colombia of not cooperating in the drug war. Colombia is the world's biggest exporter of cocaine, and coca leaf cultivation hit a record high last year. Petro recently had his U. S. visa revoked after he asked American soldiers to disobey Trump's orders. Petro said the U. S. killed a fisherman in one of its strikes and that the boat was broken down and sending a distress signal. He said the U. S. invaded Colombian territory and killed an innocent man. A Colombian news program reported that a man injured in a recent strike was in serious condition. A Colombian official said the man would be treated as a criminal because he was carrying drugs. Meanwhile, Ecuador confirmed that an Ecuadorian man injured in a strike was in good health and had not committed any crimes.