What will be the tone of relations between Colombia and the United States in the Trump era? The VOA consulted analysts to add the panorama between the two countries, which for decades have been considered allies.
Donald Trump's second presidential mandate generates questions about what will come in diplomatic relations between Colombia and the United States. Crucial issues such as drug trafficking, migration, The peace policy And the crisis in Venezuela are points where ideological differences between the two governments could mark a new dynamic.
The fight against drugs It has been a crucial issue between Washington and Bogotá. In the past, the Trump administration threatened to react Colombia as an ally in this matter for what experts consulted by the Voice of America They warn that, with the increase in illicit crops in the country, which went from 230,000 hectares planted in 2022 to 253,000 in 2023, there could be changes.
They emphasize that from the Oval Office they could urge the government of Gustavo Petro to change the model of fighting drug trafficking, which focuses on the persecution of organizations through a policy of cocaine seizures, for a more traditional policy of fumigation and eradication of illicit crops.
“Obviously between the two governments there is a lack of total tune in that issue, and that will surely be a very problematic issue because the Trump administration has a very traditional vision in the sense that it is very prohibitionist that contrasts with the vision of the Petro government and In that order it will give us a sign of how the tone of relations will be general, ”said Javier Garay, a research professor at the Externado University of Colombia.
Migration
To this is added that Colombia, through The dangerous jungle of the Darién plug That he shares with his neighbor Panama, has become a transit country of migrants who use this route as a destination to the United States. The American president decreed a series of measures to end illegal immigration in the United States.
Also read: Trump declares national emergency on the southern border of the US and restores politics “stay in Mexico”
This could bring the Trump government to demand more restrictive migratory policies especially in the Darién cap.
“In these particular issues is where there will be more differences between both governments, as they are completely different agendas. Donald Trump moves away in every way with a radical position against migration, ”he told the VoaFedermán Rodríguez, professor and academic coordinator of the International Relations Program of the University of Rosario.
In that sense, says Garay, it is an issue that generates “uncertainty” because it is not known “what will be the role of Colombia in terms of the reception of the deportees.”
The “Venezuela” factor
Another point to take into account will be the third mandate of Nicolás Maduro, after multiple accusations of fraud and who the United States does not recognize him as president, but with whom Petro has maintained some approaches.
The voices consulted by the Voa They emphasize that with the appointment of Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, Donald Trump's policy to Venezuela will be similar to that of his first administration. From what they point out, which is an issue that “can hinder the relationship” in the diplomatic field with the United States because “Colombia has become an implicit ally” by Nicolás Maduro.
“The appointment of Marco Rubio as Secretary of State also implies a way of addressing the issue. He has been very critical in front of the Venezuelan regime, very critical with those who support Maduro and President Petro has been to say it in some way, a Allied or close to Maduro for multiple reasons.
“Then several dimensions that put President Petro are mixed in a difficult situation, because we have a Secretary of State who is very radical against Venezuela, in front of his collaborators, those who are in that circle of support and President Petro has been There for ideological reasons, of course, but also for strategic reasons, ”he added.
Finally, experts explain, that relations between Colombia and the United States have been historically solid and beneficial for both nations, so beyond the ideological statements or comments that can occur on one side or the other “there will be no greater changes ”in the relationship.