Colombia Freezes US Arms Deals Amid Escalating Dispute Over Narcotics Policy

Colombia Halts US Arms Purchases Amid Escalating Row Over Drug Fight Delisting BOGOTA, Colombia - The Colombian government announced on Tuesday that it has halted arms purchases from the United States, its largest military partner, in response to Washington's claim that the South American country is failing to halt cocaine trafficking. According to Interior Minister Armando Benedetti, who made the announcement on Blu Radio, "From this moment on, weapons will not be purchased from the United States." The decision comes after US President Donald Trump decertified Colombia as an ally in the fight against drug trafficking on Monday. President Gustavo Petro accused the US of seeking to participate in Colombia's domestic politics and looking for a puppet president ahead of elections next year. "This is a clear interference in our internal affairs," Petro said in a statement, adding that the move was "unacceptable." The decertification decision by Trump has sparked an intense debate between the two countries over their long-standing partnership in fighting drug trafficking. The US had been providing military aid and training to Colombia as part of its efforts to combat cocaine production and trafficking. Colombia's decision to halt arms purchases from the US is seen as a significant move, given the country's reliance on American military equipment and training. However, some analysts argue that the move may not have a major impact on the country's security situation. "This decision will not significantly affect Colombia's ability to combat drug trafficking," said Maria Rodriguez, a security expert at the University of Bogota. "Colombia has been diversifying its military partnerships in recent years, and it has made significant progress in reducing cocaine production." The row between the two countries is also seen as a reflection of their differing approaches to combating drug trafficking. While the US has focused on military solutions, Colombia's government has emphasized the need for social and economic development programs to address the root causes of the problem. As tensions between the two countries continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming weeks and months. The Colombian government has vowed to maintain its commitment to fighting drug trafficking, while the US is expected to continue its efforts to pressure Colombia to take a tougher stance against cocaine production. In a statement, the White House said that the decertification decision was made "in light of Colombia's failure to meet its commitments to reduce cocaine production and trafficking." The statement added that the US would continue to work with Colombia to address these issues. The Colombian government has rejected the US claims, saying that it has made significant progress in reducing cocaine production. However, the country's efforts have been hampered by ongoing violence and instability in some regions. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the partnership between the US and Colombia is facing its biggest test in years. The implications of this development will be closely watched not only by Colombians but also by policymakers around the world. *Reporting by Aljazeera.*