Description: Colombian President, Gustavo Petro, has laid serious accusations against the US, claiming US sponsored groups within his country attempted to provoke a coup and remove him from office. Both countries recalled their ambassadors after the allegations sparked renewed waves of bilateral tensions. The reported coup attempt was spearheaded by Petro’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alvaro Leyva, who was recorded talking to US lawmakers regarding potential international support in order to topple Petro’s government. According to the leaked phone call, Leyva sought support from two Florida congressmen, Mario Diaz – Balard and Carlos Gimenez who have denounced the allegations and stated they never had contact with Leyva on any matter. Disputes in the bilateral relations between Colombia and the US emerged when Petro became President, defying Trump’s deportation attempts and the extradition of a guerilla leader, convicted on drug trafficking charges in the US.
Impact: Colombia has recently experienced large – scale of instability with the resurgence of narco – terrorism resulting in the assassination attempt on presidential candidate, Miguel Uribe. Petro’s government has also come across growing political pressure introducing legislature and is under constant threat of attacks from the ELN (National Liberation Army). Despite having a close bilateral partnership, the US and Colombia have widened the rift with two ideologically opposing presidents in office which have clashed over several disputes, such as drug trafficking and Trump’s deportation policies. The accusations would probably compromise the bilateral partnership even further, however, no long – term consequences are immediately expected.