A new diplomatic storm is brewing between Colombian President Gustavo Petro and his US counterpart, Donald Trump. This time, it's over international cooperation against crime.
In a post, Petro notified the US that he will not extradite three dangerous criminals to that country, arguing that they are in an advanced peace process.
"Colombian law establishes that if there are advanced peace processes, then extradition is suspended," the head of state posted.
Colombian law establishes that if there are advanced peace processes then extradition is suspended.
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) September 17, 2025
The president obeys Colombian law, not the orders of foreign governments.
All 400 extraditables, to whom the Supreme Court of Justice gave a favorable opinion for… https://t.co/67aKGqcnLW
And he stated: “The president obeys Colombian law, not the orders of foreign governments.”
"I extradited all 400 extraditables for whom the Supreme Court granted a favorable opinion for extradition. There are three who are not eligible for extradition, because they are in advanced peace processes, and according to the law, their extradition can be conditionally suspended," Gustavo Petro insisted.
Petro's radical stance came in response to a request made to his administration by U.S. Ambassador-in-Charge John McNamara to urgently reinstate the extradition of"all narcoterrorists without conditions."
Specifically, McNamara provided details on Wednesday about diplomatic relations with Colombia, after the U.S. State Department decertified the country in its fight against drugs.
President Trump's senior official directly stated that bilateral relations are going through a difficult time.
Meanwhile, this week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized President Petro:"Colombia has historically been a great partner. Unfortunately, they now have a president who, in addition to being erratic, has not been a good partner when it comes to confronting the issue of drugs, the drug cartels."
