LatAm in Focus: A Crack in U.S.-Colombia Cooperation

Colombia has long been considered a close U.S. ally in Latin America. For years, the two countries have collaborated on anti-trafficking efforts, democracy promotion, and development.

But two recent episodes have called into question the durability of the U.S.-Colombia relationship. On September 16, the U.S. government decertified Colombia as a partner in the war against drugs for the first time since 1997 as the Andean country faces record high cocaine production. Later that month, the State Department revoked the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro after comments he made at a rally on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York where he encouraged U.S. soldiers to disobey orders.

Are U.S.-Colombia bonds at a breaking point?

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Sergio Guzmán

“The U.S. administration...is looking at the relationship as something that will transcend Petro and that is far too important to sour,” assured Sergio Guzmán, director of Colombia Risk Analysis. In a conversation with AS/COA Online’s Carin Zissis, he explains these recent challenges come as Colombia nears the end of an era. Petro’s term ends next year.

With presidential elections scheduled for May, Colombians are considering what leadership they want for their country as it faces a destabilizing security situation, a widening fiscal deficit, a struggling healthcare system, and, yes, tension with the United States. Those elections will be complicated, explains Guzmán, given that there are roughly 75 potential candidates for president. Petro may not boast high approval levels at 37 percent, but he maintains a solid base. Combine that with a crowded field, a victory is up for grabs, says Guzmán.