Petro defends drug policy legacy and Trump cooperation in Washington Post op-ed

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has defended his administration's drug policy and its cooperation with former U.S. President Donald Trump in a recent opinion piece for The Washington Post. Petro, who is set to leave office in August, highlighted what he considers achievements in security and drug interdiction during his four-year term.

In the column, Petro emphasized the close collaboration between Bogotá and Washington in combating drug trafficking, stating that the results achieved underscore the importance of maintaining a strong alliance. He noted that Colombian intelligence played a crucial role in U.S. drug interdiction successes, with hundreds of extraditions approved since 2022 and over 17,000 drug trafficking-related arrests made during his tenure. These efforts, he explained, were a result of operations conducted by Colombian authorities in coordination with U.S. agencies and Interpol.

The defense of his legacy comes despite a bilateral relationship that was frequently strained. Petro acknowledged disagreements with Trump but expressed pride in having worked together to fight drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations. A particularly tense moment occurred in September 2025 when the U.S. revoked Petro's visa after he urged U.S. soldiers to disobey Trump's orders during a UN General Assembly event. Disputes also arose over deportation flights, drug strategies, and U.S. military operations in the region.

Despite these episodes, Petro used the platform to emphasize points of cooperation and defend the outcomes of his mandate. As he prepares to hand over power following the upcoming presidential election, Petro's reflections highlight a complex but ultimately cooperative relationship focused on combating illicit activities.