Colombia recalls ambassador from U.S. amid rising tensions in bilateral ties

BOGOTA, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced early Monday that the country's ambassador to the United States has been summoned back to Bogota amid rising tensions in bilateral relations.

The ambassador "has been recalled for consultations by President Gustavo Petro and is now in Bogota," the ministry said in a statement posted on X.

This marks the second time in less than five months that Ambassador Daniel Garcia-Pena has been recalled back. The previous recall on July 3 occurred when the U.S. State Department announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had recalled John McNamara, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the U.S. Embassy in Colombia, to Washington for urgent consultations, saying it was "taking other steps to express our deep concern over the current state of U.S.-Colombian relations."

Petro responded the same day on social media, announcing the reciprocal recall of his ambassador to Washington for consultations, while reaffirming Colombia's commitment to advancing ties.

The growing feud between the two countries has recently been focused on U.S.-launched strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the southern Caribbean since September, which have killed at least 27 people.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Saturday that American forces carried out a strike on Friday against an alleged drug trafficking vessel believed to belong to a Colombian rebel group, killing all three men aboard.

Tensions escalated further on Sunday as U.S. President Donald Trump referred to Petro as a "drug lord" on Truth Social, announcing a suspension of U.S. aid to Colombia.

Later in the day, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he would announce new tariffs on Colombia.

In response, Colombia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement Sunday strongly protesting Trump's personal attack against President Petro and his announcement to cut aid.

The statement said Washington's remarks constituted a direct threat to Colombia's sovereignty and violated international law and diplomatic norms, stressing that Colombia firmly opposes interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. ■