Colombia Recalls Ambassador Amid Diplomatic Row Over Deadly Strikes on Alleged Drug Boats

Colombia Recalls US Ambassador Amid Spat with Trump Over Strikes on Alleged Drug Boats BOGOTA, Colombia - Colombia has recalled its ambassador to Washington in a diplomatic row that has escalated into a war of words between President Gustavo Petro and former U.S. President Donald Trump over deadly strikes on boats in the Caribbean. The recall was announced by the Colombian Foreign Ministry on Sunday, following a series of exchanges between Petro and Trump on social media. The dispute centers around a mid-September strike on a vessel in Colombian territorial waters that killed one fisherman and injured several others. Petro accused the U.S. of "murdering" a Colombian citizen and violating national sovereignty. He also criticized the U.S. for not providing sufficient information about the operation, which he described as a "direct threat to our country's security." Trump responded by calling Petro an "illegal drug dealer" and vowing to end aid payments to Colombia, one of the largest recipients of U.S. counter-narcotics assistance. He also ordered Petro to close down alleged drug trafficking routes. "We will not tolerate any interference in our efforts to combat narco-trafficking," Trump said on Twitter. "Petro is a menace to his own country and must be held accountable." The Colombian government has denied allegations of involvement in drug trafficking, saying that the country has made significant progress in combating organized crime under Petro's administration. "This is not about politics; it's about the lives of our citizens," said Juan Camilo Restrepo, Colombia's Foreign Minister. "We will continue to work with international partners to combat narco-trafficking and protect our sovereignty." The dispute has raised concerns among analysts about the future of counter-narcotics cooperation between the two countries. "This spat is a setback for U.S.-Colombia relations," said Adam Isacson, a senior associate at the Washington Office on Latin America. "It's unclear how this will affect aid payments and other forms of assistance." The recall of the ambassador marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two governments. The move is seen as a sign that Colombia is taking Trump's comments seriously and is willing to take action to protect its sovereignty. The dispute is also likely to have implications for future cooperation on counter-narcotics efforts, which have been a key component of U.S.-Colombia relations for decades. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this will affect the relationship between the two countries and what steps will be taken to resolve the dispute. *Reporting by Theguardian.*