U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he is recalling John T. McNamara, the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim for the U.S. Embassy in Colombia, to Washington for urgent consultations. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The Associated Press reported in May that Petro’s former foreign minister, Alvaro Leyva, accused him of being a drug "addict" for the second time in three weeks.
Leyva also reportedly published a seven-page letter on X calling for Petro to resign, alleging that the president is "dependent on substances that affect emotional and mental equilibrium."
Petro, who was elected in 2022 and has a year left in office, denied the accusations during a speech in Bogota, in which he claimed to be a "revolutionary" who will not be "enslaved" by drugs.
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President Donald Trump (L) Colombian President Gustavo Petro (R) clashed over deportation flights. (Getty Images)
In January, U.S. officials sent two flights of Colombian illegal aliens back to their country of origin, though Petro rejected the flights, saying the U.S. cannot "treat Colombian migrants as criminals."
Petro also demanded the U.S. establish protocol for the dignified treatment of migrants before his country receives them.
In response, Trump threatened to unleash a slew of punishments, including ordering a 25% tariff on all goods coming into the U.S. from Colombia. After a week, Trump added, the tariffs would rise to 50%. Trump also ordered a travel ban and visa revocations for all Colombian government officials, plus "allies and supporters."
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Ultimately, the two countries came to an agreement and deportations resumed, though Petro has urged Colombian migrants to return home.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.
Story tips and ideas can be sent to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com and on Twitter @GregWehner.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rubio-recalls-top-us-diplomat-from-colombia-after-baseless-statements-from-officials