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Trump Escalates Rhetoric Against Colombian President Petro, Hints at Intervention
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A deepening rift between Washington and Bogotá sees escalating accusations and threats, raising concerns about regional stability.
The White House has substantially increased its antagonistic rhetoric toward Colombian President Gustavo Petro, with former President Donald Trump repeatedly accusing Petro of involvement in drug trafficking and even suggesting potential military intervention. These escalating tensions follow a controversial U.S. operation in Venezuela targeting nicolás Maduro, and a series of diplomatic clashes stemming from early 2025.
Trump’s Direct Accusations
Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force one this past Sunday, Trump launched a scathing attack on Petro, stating, “Colombia is governed by a sick man, who likes to make cocaine and sell it to the United States, but he is not going to continue for much longer, let me tell you.” He further alleged that Petro oversees “cocaine mills, cocaine factories” within Colombia. These remarks echo similar statements made in Florida just hours after Maduro’s capture, where Trump warned Petro to “watch his ass” for “producing cocaine and sending it to the United States.” Prior to that,on December 23rd,Trump issued a direct warning: “You better be careful because you have drug factories.They manufacture cocaine in Colombia and send it to the United States. You better close those cocaine factories.”
When pressed on whether the U.S.was considering a similar operation in Colombia as the one undertaken in Venezuela,Trump did not dismiss the possibility,responding,”It sounds good to me.”
Petro’s Condemnation and Defence
President Petro has vehemently condemned the U.S. action in Venezuela, labeling it a violation of international law. In a statement posted on his X account, he described the capture of Maduro as a “kidnapping” carried out “without a legal basis to carry out an action against the sovereignty of Venezuela.” He further asserted that Trump’s actions had “destroyed the rule of law worldwide” and represented “a bloody urination on the sacred sovereignty of all of Latin America and the Caribbean.”
Petro has also repeatedly denied accusations of drug trafficking, stating, “My name in 50 years does not appear in the judicial files on drug trafficking either before or now. Stop slandering me, Mr. Trump.” He believes the accusations are retribution for his outspoken criticism of U.S. policy, claiming, “Because of what I said, you took the pride of punishing my opinion.” Following his statements, the U.S. government revoked petro’s visa.
A History of Tensions
The current escalation builds upon a pre-existing tense relationship. The conflict began in early 2025 when Petro’s administration returned a plane carrying deported migrants who were chained, prompting threats of tariffs from the Trump administration. While diplomatic channels were afterward used to de-escalate the situation, and dialog continues between military forces and political leaders in both countries, the White House has increasingly focused its pressure on Petro personally.
In October, the U.S. Treasury Department added Petro to a list of individuals allegedly associated with drug trafficking – an accusation that remains unsubstantiated. While acknowledging an increase in cocaine crop cultivation during Petro’s administration, according to some disputed surveys, officials attribute this growth to failures in the government’s peace policy and the strengthening of armed groups involved in the drug trade, rather than direct presidential involvement.
The White House, though, continues to dismiss this assessment, and its tone toward the Co
