The exchange of comments between the presidents of the United States and Colombia, accompanied by threats of financial cuts, set off alarm bells among political and business representatives, who are concerned about the possible measures announced from Washington.

(Read:Petro assures that the FTA is 'de facto suspended by a unilateral decision of the United States').

Faced with this concern, Senator Paloma Valencia, an opponent of the Petro government, invited the nation's political forces to an alliance"to prevent the destruction of the national economy with a serious impact on employment, exports and economic growth".

According to the Senator, President Petro has sought by all means to break relations with the US and has pointed to it as responsible for everything that is happening.

(See: Foreign Ministry calls Colombian ambassador to the U.S. for consultations).

"This is not a matter of personal or national pride, nor of ideology; it is a matter of state. Colombia needs moral authority and strategic clarity to confront drug trafficking and regain its international respect, and we must all strive to defend the country and its economy," Valencia added.

For his part, Jaime Alberto Cabal, president of Fenalco, the association that brings together the country's merchants, indicated that with this new impasse, there is concern that Colombian agricultural exports will be affected, since Colombia has a positive trade balance.

"Foreign policy must put the country's interests above ideological affinities or political circumstances. The tariff decisions announced by Washington will have disastrous effects on the national economy and a strong direct impact on job creation," said Cabal.

"The United States is currently the main destination for our non-mining and energy exports, representing nearly 30% of the total. Products such as flowers, coffee, bananas, and cocoa have consolidated their presence in that market, generating a surplus of more than $1.5 billion annually," added the spokesperson for the merchants.

(Here: Petro government has gone into debt almost 17 times the IMF loan, warns former minister).

Likewise, the president of Fenalco warned that if Colombia decides to raise tariffs on products originating in the United States as a response, it would be a violation of the Free Trade Agreement, with even more serious inflationary consequences.

He emphasized that essential consumer goods such as machinery, medicines, and technology would become significantly more expensive, affecting both Colombian businesses and households.

"We call for prioritizing diplomatic and commercial dialogue with the United States, seeking to preserve the bilateral agreements that guarantee stability, employment, and economic development for the country. Foreign policy must put the country's interests above ideological affinities or political circumstances," Cabal Sanclemente concluded.

‘Trump doesn’t play’

For his part, US Senator Lindsey Graham said that after a meeting with Trump, he informed him that he is going to hit Colombia, not only its drug traffickers, but also where it hurts the most: in the pocket.

"He will announce significant tariffs against Colombia," Graham said, adding that"President Trump is tougher than any other president in our history."

According to Lindsey Graham, when it comes to protecting the United States, Trump doesn't play games.