A strong clash between President Gustavo Petro and the mayors of the country's main capitals over a trip that the local leaders are preparing to Washington, United States, in the face of the risk of a possible decertification of Colombia in the fight against drug trafficking.
Semana magazine revealed that Carlos Fernando Galán (Bogotá), Federico Gutiérrez (Medellín), Alejandro Eder (Cali), Alejandro Char (Barranquilla) and Dumek Turbay (Cartagena) are packing their bags to head to the United States.
The news did not please President Gustavo Petro, who stated on his X account that" these mayors are not authorized to represent Colombia. The Constitution is clear. Whether they certify or not, the Colombian constitution is respected."
Minutes later, the mayor of Medellín responded to the head of state, stating that they do have the right to represent their cities."Petro, you're already acting like a dictator. Of course we'll go. And yes, we represent our cities, which are a very important part of Colombia. We will do everything possible to ensure that the United States continues to be a great ally for Colombia," Gutiérrez said.
And he added: " We will try to mitigate the disaster you have created. In a democracy, we have the right to speak for our people. You will find out how we are doing. We are doing this for Colombia, not for you. And of course, we do not have to ask your permission to work for our cities and for all Colombians."
The consequences of a possible decertification
The signals Colombia offers in the coming days will be decisive in whether or not the United States maintains its certification in the fight against drugs. Between September 14 and 15, President Donald Trump must determine which countries are fully cooperating with Washington on this front and which are not. A blow that, if implemented, would not only have profound repercussions for bilateral cooperation, trade, tourism, and investment, but would also benefit drug trafficking in the country.
Meanwhile, Gustavo Petro's government is moving its diplomacy toward Washington on two fronts that could lead to opposing outcomes: on the one hand, reinforcing positive messages about the blows dealt to the drug trafficking industry, and on the other, supporting Nicolás Maduro's regime in the face of the tension caused by the U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean Sea.
While the U.S. acknowledges the success in seizures, concerns have been raised about the alarming growth of coca crops and their slow eradication (just over 3,000 hectares of the projected 30,000 have been eradicated).
According to the Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce (AMC), a decertified country faces sanctions such as the suspension of economic and military aid, trade restrictions, and potential impacts on its reputation with investors and international organizations.
Juan Pablo Penagos Ramirez
