In the wake of a dramatic U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald J. Trump issued an unusually blunt warning to Colombian President Gustavo Petro, stating that Petro should “watch his a*”* — a remark that underscores rapidly deteriorating diplomatic relations between Washington and Bogotá.
Speaking to reporters, Trump accused Petro’s government of tolerating cocaine production and trafficking into the United States, asserting that Colombia “makes cocaine and they’re sending it into the United States.” He framed his warning as part of a broader crackdown on alleged drug networks in the Western Hemisphere.
“He does have to watch his a**,” Trump said, pointing to what he described as “cocaine mills” in Colombia, even as he professed affection for the Colombian people.
The comments were interpreted by many international observers as a personal and national threat, escalating tensions between the two nations.
Petro’s Reaction: Sovereignty and Backlash
President Petro swiftly rejected Trump’s accusations, denouncing them as unfounded and a threat to Colombia’s sovereignty. Petro called on international bodies, including the United Nations Security Council, to respond to what he described as unlawful U.S. aggression following the Venezuela raid. According to Petro, Washington’s military actions risk destabilizing the region and are contrary to international law.
In previous exchanges, Petro has challenged Trump’s narrative on drug trafficking, highlighting Colombia’s efforts to dismantle cocaine laboratories and accusing the U.S. of misunderstanding the complexities of the narcotics trade.
Regional Repercussions and Diplomatic Strain
The exchange comes at a highly volatile moment in Latin American geopolitics. The U.S. operation in Venezuela — which saw Maduro flown to New York under U.S. detention — has drawn sharp rebuttals from several governments in the region and sparked condemnation from international organizations.
Trump’s warning to Petro, coupled with similar rhetoric toward Mexico and Cuba, suggests a more confrontational U.S. stance toward allied and neighboring nations, especially those whose leaders have criticized U.S. military actions or immigration and drug policies.
Colombian officials have already condemned Trump’s remarks, and diplomatic relations have entered an uneasy period, raising concerns among analysts about potential economic fallout or further escalation in rhetoric.
