U.S. and Colombia recall diplomats in deepening row

July 4, 2025 / 2:42 AM

By Darryl Coote

July 4 (UPI) -- The United States and Colombia have recalled their top diplomats from their respective countries amid a deepening rift between Washington and Bogota seemingly centered on an alleged plot to oust Colombian President Gustavo Petro.

The alleged plot was first reported late last month by El Pais, and, according to recordings it reviewed and Republican sources, it involved former Colombian Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva trying to contact U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to have him and the Trump administration exert pressure to force Petro to resign.

In the recordings, Leyva states he met with Republican lawmakers, including Florida Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart and Carlos Gimenez, as he sought support for his plot.

On Wednesday, Petro commented on X that the previous Biden administration had helped him during "other times that they have wanted to kill."

More:
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/07/04/8131751606589/






Colombian Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva