WASHINGTON, 20 October (H.S.): In a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he is cutting off subsidies and payments to Colombia, one of America's closest allies in South America.

In a fiery post on his Truth Social platform, Trump labeled Colombian President Gustavo Petro an illegal drug leader who is strongly encouraging the massive production of drugs.

The move follows a sharp accusation from President Petro, who claimed the U.S. committed murder by carrying out a military strike on a Colombian fishing boat in September, killing a fisherman named Alejandro Carranza.

Petro asserted that Carranza's boat was adrift with a distress signal and that the fisherman had no ties to the drug trade.Trump justified his decision by stating that because Petro does nothing to stop drug production despite receiving large scale payments and subsidies, the U.S. will no longer provide financial aid.

In 2023, U.S. aid to Colombia exceeded $740 million, although it is unclear which specific funds will be affected by the new directive.This decision marks a new low in the relationship between the two leaders, which has been strained over U.S. military strikes against alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean.

Last month, the U.S. declared Colombia had failed to uphold its anti-drug commitments but issued a waiver to allow aid to continue.

However, Trump's recent announcement reverses that position, coming amid a backdrop of increasing hostility that includes the U.S. revoking Petro's visa in September after he urged American soldiers to disobey Trump's orders during a speech at the United Nations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar