Saturday, March 29, 2025
After Venezuela, Is Colombia Next? Trump Issues Direct Warning; Tensions Escalate
Summary:
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has criticized Donald Trump’s military deployments against drug-trafficking planes in the Caribbean. Trump previously stated he won’t rule out strikes on cocaine labs in Colombia.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro received a stark warning from U.S. President Donald Trump to “watch his back.” The statement comes amid the U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and brought him to New York. Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “He’s producing cocaine and sending it to America, so he better watch his back.”
Without naming Maduro—Petro’s close ally—Petro condemned the U.S. action as an assault on Latin American sovereignty, warning of a humanitarian crisis.
Petro has long criticized Trump’s naval deployments targeting drug planes in the Caribbean. Trump recently affirmed he won’t rule out attacking Colombia’s drug labs, framing it as a direct threat. Tensions stem from drug trafficking, migration, and regional security.
The rift began in 2025 when Petro refused to repatriate deported Colombian migrants and blocked U.S. military planes from landing. Trump responded with threats of tariffs and sanctions.
Petro Labeled a Drug Leader
Reports indicate Trump has taken tough measures against Colombia, including halting aid and calling Petro a drug leader. Post-Venezuela raid, tensions have reached a boiling point. Trump’s hardline on cartels and migration clashes with Petro’s focus on sovereignty and human rights, straining bilateral ties and challenging U.S. influence in Latin America. The coming days will reveal how events unfold.
