Colombian President Gustavo Petro gives his side of the story as he engages Trump in a war of words over mounting U.S. boat strikes.

White House says President Donald Trump is not interested in making peace with Colombian President Gustavo Petro as tensions escalate over U.S. counter-narcotics operations.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has ramped up his denunciations of Trump's deadly boat strikes, accusing the US of violating international law. | TAG24

Mr Trump may find it tricky to fulfil his social-media promises on tariffs and aid cuts. Colombia has long been America’s closest ally in the region. Without the country’s co-operation, Mr Trump’s new war on drugs would get even harder. ■

President Donald Trump slammed Colombian President Gustavo Petro as a “thug” as the two leaders have traded barbs over U.S. strikes in the region.

U.S. President Donald Trump's threat this week to slap Colombia with tariffs over its drug policy marked a sharp escalation in his feud with a country that has long been one of Washington's closest Latin American allies.

Colombia has long been one of the U.S.'s most important links in Latin America. Bogotá also became one of NATO's "global partners" in 2017. The U.S. is the leading power in the transatlantic alliance. This drew Colombia closer to NATO, but it does not come with the expectations or obligations NATO nations have.

Barista cafe owner Lina Bulla said most of her menu is Colombian cuisine and drinks, and about half of her products are shipped directly from Colombia.