Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Sunday firmly rejected accusations and threats from former US President Donald Trump, who claimed Petro was involved in drug trafficking and suggested possible military action.
Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, following a US raid in Caracas, Venezuela, that targeted military sites and resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. The operation, carried out on Saturday, aimed to assert Washington’s influence over Venezuela’s oil-rich regions.
Speaking on Petro, Trump said Colombia was “very sick” and described its leadership as “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.” He added, “He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long.” When asked about potential military action in Colombia, Trump said, “It sounds good to me,” citing alleged killings without providing evidence.
Petro responded swiftly on social media, stating, “Stop slandering me, Mr Trump,” and emphasised that his “name does not appear in court records.” He condemned Washington’s actions in Venezuela as “without legal basis” and added, “Friends do not bomb.”
Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Trump’s comments as “unacceptable interference” and called for respect for the country’s sovereignty.
The exchange highlights rising tensions between Colombia and the United States, despite their longstanding military and economic partnership. Petro, a former armed struggle member turned elected leader, has consistently opposed foreign interventions in the region, while relations with Washington have also been strained by disputes over trade and migration policies.
