BOGOTA/CARACAS - 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 US State Department announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had recalled John McNamara, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the US Embassy in Colombia, to Washington for urgent consultations, saying it was "taking other steps to express our deep concern over the current state of US-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 US-launched strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the southern Caribbean since September, which have killed at least 27 people.
US 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 US President Donald Trump referred to Petro as a "drug lord" on Truth Social, announcing a suspension of US aid to Colombia.
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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.
Also on Monday, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples' Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) issued its "strongest condemnation" of recent remarks by Trump, accusing him of making "attacks and threats" against Colombia's sovereignty and President Petro.
In a statement released in Caracas, the bloc described Trump's comments as a "flagrant violation of Colombia's national sovereignty" and a "direct attack on the dignity of the Colombian people."
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According to the declaration, Trump allegedly sought to link Petro's government to illicit activities while suggesting possible coercive or military actions.
The regional group said the threats reflect an "imperialist and warmongering policy, based on the Monroe Doctrine," which undermines peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The regional bloc also denounced new US coercive tariffs and the increased military presence in the Caribbean under the pretext of combating drug trafficking.
It expressed its "unwavering solidarity with the people and government of Colombia," reaffirming respect for sovereignty, democracy and the right of nations to freely determine their future.
It called on the international community to reject any form of interference or threat of force, stressing the need to preserve peace and stability across the region.
ALBA-TCP, comprising Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia and Venezuela, is an intergovernmental organization that aims for social, political and economic integration of Latin American and Caribbean countries.
