WASHINGTON: The United States and Colombia called home their respective envoys on Thursday (Jul 3) in an apparent acceleration of worsening ties, against the backdrop of an alleged plot against Colombia’s leftist leader.
Washington went first, recalling its charge d’affaires John McNamara “following baseless and reprehensible statements from the highest levels of the Government of Colombia”, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said, without giving specifics.
In addition to McNamara’s recall, Bruce said the United States “is pursuing other measures to make clear our deep concern over the current state of our bilateral relationship”.
She did not detail the actions.
Within hours, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced he was calling home his top diplomat in Washington in response.
Ambassador Daniel Garcia Pena “must come to inform us of the development of the bilateral agenda”, Petro wrote on X, such as tapping South America’s “great potential for clean energy” and the fight against “drug lords and their international finances”.
The diplomatic spat came on the heels of the resignation of Colombia’s foreign minister earlier Thursday – the latest top-ranking official to exit Petro’s government.
“In recent days, decisions have been made that I do not agree with and that, out of personal integrity and institutional respect, I cannot support,” Laura Sarabia, who was also Petro’s former chief of staff, wrote on X.
