Ruben Gallego Calls Trump Decertifying Colombia 'Good Compromise'

Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) issued a statement after the Trump Administration decertified the South American country of Colombia with a one-year national interest waiver, calling it "a good compromise."

For additional context, this means that the United States will no longer consider Colombia a partner in fighting international drug trafficking due to its failure to go after traffickers. Typically, decertification means that the U.S. cuts off aid and bilateral security agreements.

However, as a compromise, the Trump Administration issued a one-year national interest waiver, allowing Colombia to continue receiving aid and maintain cooperation.

In August, Senators Gallego and Bernie Moreno (R-OH) visited Colombia to discuss multiple topics, including pressure on President Gustavo Petro to increase pressure on the cartels.

As a result, in his statement, Sen. Gallego said that "this decision comes after tireless work behind the scenes. Last month, Senator Bernie Moreno and I went on an official trip to Colombia to speak with members of the government and business leaders in advance of this deadline."

"All things considered, the decertification with the one-year national interest waiver is a good compromise," the Arizona Senator continued, urging Colombia's government "to use this opportunity to show how serious they are about cracking down on coca growth."

The decertification comes on the heels of the Trump Administration conducting a second strike on a boat allegedly operated by Tren de Aragua and carrying drugs.

Representative Brian Mast (R-FL) commented on the issue, warning that drug traffickers should fear the Trump Administration.

"What I would tell these terrorists, and these are now rightfully labeled foreign terrorist organizations by the President, he has said that their existence will no longer continue," he said. "Total commitment to ending their existence, whether it is Tren de Aragua, whether it is the Jalisco Cartel, MS-13, the Gulf Cartel, take your pick of all of those that are labeled."