Colombia has halted arms purchases from the United States, its main military supplier, after Washington accused the country of failing to rein in cocaine trafficking, according to Al Jazeera. Interior Minister Armando Benedetti announced the suspension on Tuesday, echoing President Gustavo Petro’s criticism that the U.S. was interfering in Colombia’s politics and attempting to install a “puppet president” ahead of next year’s elections. “From now on … weapons will not be bought from the United States,” Benedetti told Blu Radio.

The move followed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to decertify Colombia as a partner in the anti-drug fight, citing record-high cocaine production. Though largely symbolic, the step further strained relations already marked by disputes over migrant deportations. Petro, a former guerrilla fighter, defended his government’s record, claiming more cocaine had been seized during his tenure than under past administrations. He stressed Colombia “will not be blackmailed” by Washington and dismissed concerns about U.S. aid, saying, “We are the ones who help them, because the problem is theirs, not ours.”

The U.S. currently provides about $380 million annually to support Colombia’s anti-narcotics operations, though it remains unclear how the decertification will affect this assistance. Petro also pushed back against U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s criticism of his leadership, arguing that attacking civilian boats was “truly erratic,” referencing Trump’s order to strike Venezuelan vessels allegedly used by drug traffickers. He pointed out that most cocaine is shipped in containers from ports, not speedboats.

Since taking office in 2022, Petro has shifted away from eradication-focused drug policies, prioritizing social reforms. However, coca cultivation has surged by roughly 70 percent during his presidency. UN data shows the area under coca crops rose to 253,000 hectares by 2023, nearly triple previous levels. Petro blamed global demand for the increase, arguing that the world must rethink its anti-drug strategies, as the U.S. has only stabilized cocaine use because many users switched to fentanyl, a far deadlier drug. The Colombian leader has frequently clashed with Trump, rejecting extradition requests and condemning U.S. actions on migrants and Venezuela. In 2024, he also cut diplomatic ties with Israel over the war in Gaza.