The U.S. State Department has recalled its top diplomat in Colombia for urgent consultations. The move follows comments from Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro questioning the U.S. stance on an alleged plot to remove him from office.

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 the Colombian president.

Colombia is reeling from a high-stakes political scandal after explosive audio leaks revealed a secret plot —allegedly orchestrated by former foreign minister and once-trusted ally Álvaro Leyva— to remove President Gustavo Petro from power,