Colombia remains steadfast in its war on drugs, declares the minister, with the imminent U.S. deadline approaching

In a move that could have significant implications for Colombia, the Trump administration is considering decertifying the South American nation as an ally in the battle against drugs. This decision comes amid a dispute between President Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro over migrant deportations and a major US military buildup in the Caribbean, part of Trump's war on cartels.

The potential decertification could result in the withdrawal of nearly half a billion dollars in US funding that Colombia has been using to combat cartels and left-wing guerrillas funded by cocaine trafficking. Colombian Defense Minister Diego Molano Sanchez has expressed his concerns, stating that such a move would mean "illegal players win and nations lose."

Sanchez has emphasised Colombia's "absolute commitment" to the anti-drug fight and considers the US certification as a "symbol of cooperation, of alliance, of trust" between Washington and Bogota. He believes that US military assistance is crucial for Colombia to "act more forcefully" against drug traffickers.

The Colombian military and police are currently facing a string of deadly attacks by guerrilla groups. On August 21, 12 police officers were killed during a coca eradication operation in the country's northwest. Coca cultivation in Colombia has increased by about 70 percent since 2022, according to Colombian government and UN estimates, a trend that has alarmed officials.

Petro, who took office as President of Colombia on August 7, 2022, has championed a shift in the US-led war on drugs towards addressing the social problems that fuel drug trafficking. In response to Trump's threats, Petro sent Colombian planes to repatriate migrants to avoid potential sanctions.

However, the increase in violence has led Sanchez to compare the situation to a response to chemotherapy when fighting a "cancer" (drug trafficking). The latest incident occurred on the same day as the coca eradication operation, when a truck bomb exploded near a military aviation school in Cali, killing six people.

As the US President's decision deadline approaches on September 15, tensions between the two nations remain high, with both sides expressing strong opinions on the matter. The potential decertification could mark a significant shift in the US-Colombia relationship and its impact on the ongoing war against drug trafficking in Colombia.