Trump Calls Colombian President 'Drug Dealer,' Forgetting US History
Donald Trump, in a recent fit of diplomatic rhetoric, reportedly labeled Colombian President Gustavo Petro a 'drug dealer' and threatened to 'close up' Colombia's 'killing fields.' The Independent reports this as part of Trump's broader threats against South American nations. One might wonder if Trump's memory extends beyond his last rally, or if presidential candidates are now exempt from
historical context. Let's not forget how many actual drug dealers and paramilitary death squads the US government conveniently overlooked, or even funded, in Latin America for decades, all in the name of 'anti-communism' or 'stability.' The Iran-Contra affair, for instance, involved the Reagan administration facilitating arms sales to Iran in exchange for the release of American hostages, then
diverting funds to Nicaraguan Contras, a group heavily implicated in drug trafficking. The US government’s relationship with figures tied to drug organizations in countries like Colombia, Panama, and Nicaragua is a well-documented, if often ignored, stain on its foreign policy record. When Trump now points fingers at a democratically elected leader like Petro—who, ironically, is attempting to
redefine Colombia's approach to drug policy—it highlights a selective outrage. It appears 'drug dealer' is only a pejorative when it's politically convenient, and when the 'killing fields' aren't indirectly supported by US policy or arms sales. Perhaps Trump should first address the US's own historical role in creating some of those 'killing fields' rather than just threatening more.