Just days after the US military raid in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump has hinted that a similar military operation in Colombia would be “fine by him”, sharply escalating tensions in Latin America.
Speaking to reporters, Trump launched a scathing attack on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, calling him a “sick man” and accusing his government of producing and exporting cocaine to the US. When asked directly whether his remarks signalled a possible US military operation in Colombia, Trump replied: “It sounds good to me.”
The comments come amid heightened regional anxiety following the US action in Venezuela, which has drawn widespread criticism from Latin American leaders and raised fears of further American intervention in the region.
Trump claimed Petro would “not be doing it very long”, a remark widely interpreted as a veiled threat. Relations between Washington and Bogotá have been strained for months, particularly after the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean. Petro, a leftwing leader and former guerrilla, has emerged as one of Trump’s most outspoken international critics.
The Colombian president has repeatedly defended his government’s anti-narcotics record, stating that cocaine seizures have reached historic highs under his administration. Last month, Petro even invited Trump to visit Colombia — the world’s largest producer of cocaine — to witness efforts to dismantle drug-producing laboratories and trafficking networks.
However, Petro’s sharp criticism of the US military campaign in Venezuela appears to have further angered Trump. Over the weekend, the Colombian leader described the US raid on Venezuela as an “assault on the sovereignty” of Latin America and warned that it could trigger a humanitarian crisis across the region.
Petro also condemned US actions targeting small boats in both the Caribbean and the Pacific, arguing that such measures disproportionately harm civilians and refugees.
Trump responded angrily on Saturday, warning that Petro should “watch his ass”, a remark that has drawn criticism for its aggressive tone and lack of diplomatic restraint.
With the US already facing backlash over its Venezuela operation, Trump’s remarks on Colombia have raised fresh concerns about the possibility of wider military involvement in Latin America, potentially unsettling regional stability and global markets already on edge over geopolitical risks.
