In an exclusive interview with Texas Politics, Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R) discussed the ever-evolving relationship between Colombia and the United States. Despite the relationship between both countries being a “working” relationship, lawmakers question the Colombian government given the socialist Colombian president’s willingness to develop a friendship with authoritarian governments and greenlight the increase in the flow of cocaine production.
President Gustavo Petro was voted into office in 2022, and because of his espoused political leaning, he soon developed a friendship with authoritarian governments like Venezuela. This resulted in the establishment of an authoritarian government in Colombia.
President Petro’s policies in the country, Rep. Crenshaw expressed during the interview, have “massively increased violence.”
The Texas Republican detailed that President Petro “has effectively legalized” coca being grown in the country. “That’s caused a massive increase in cocaine flows, which causes a massive increase in just general violence in the region."
In reference to President Petro as a leader, Rep Crenshaw commented that “he’s just a bad partner, period." He went on the share that the Colombian president has “shown up [at the Capitol] to talk to appropriators and basically said something along the lines of ‘Plan Colombia' is not a success story.’”
“Plan Colombia” was a foreign aid and diplomatic initiative aimed at combatting drug cartels and left-wing groups in Colombia. "Plan Colombia" sought to end the Colombian armed conflict by increasing funding and training of Colombian military and para-military forces and creating a strategy to push back against the cultivation and coca.
Suggesting that the initiative did prove to be successful, Rep. Crenshaw further commented that Colombians would do well in electing different leadership when the next election comes around.
“I’ve never met a Colombian that likes him,” Rep. Crenshaw posited. “The last election, there wasn’t a lot of choice.” Rep. Crenshaw called into question the Colombian president's regime, admitting that "he's a terrible guy."
