The Global Story What’s behind Trump’s rift with Colombia?
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Nov 5, 2025 William Marquez, a veteran BBC Mundo journalist, shares his insights on the turbulent relationship between the U.S. and Colombia. He recounts Colombia's violent drug history, the effects of U.S. aid through Plan Colombia, and the evolving drug trade dynamics after Pablo Escobar's reign. Marquez highlights the current tensions sparked by President Trump's accusations against Colombia's President Gustavo Petro, the implications of decertification, and the potential impact on civilians. This clash between the two leaders poses significant risks for both nations.
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Life Under Pablo Escobar
- William Marquez recounts living in Colombia during Pablo Escobar's reign with daily killings, bombs and a climate of fear.
- He describes avoiding Medellín after 5pm because violence made the city unsafe for ordinary life.
Cartels Fragmented Into Armed Groups
- After Escobar's death the drug trade atomized and armed groups like FARC took control of coca-growing regions.
- FARC shifted from insurgency to drug trafficking by exploiting territories they already controlled.
Plan Colombia's Mixed Legacy
- Plan Colombia combined military aid with social programs and became the hemisphere's largest U.S. aid recipient.
- It strengthened security but also generated human rights abuses and persistent coca cultivation.