After the U.S. military operation overnight in Venezuela, which ended with the dramatic capture of Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro, President Trump explicitly threatened Colombian President Gustavo Petro during his midday press conference from Florida, as had already occurred weeks ago.
After months of U.S. military operations in the Caribbean against alleged “narco-speedboats”, an incident over Venezuelan territory, and last night’s so-called “surgical” operation over Caracas and other areas of the country, the prospects for the continuity of the Chavista regime that has governed Venezuela until today appear more than doubtful.
Nevertheless, President Trump’s threats went beyond Venezuela this morning and reached the Colombian government, saying that Petro should “watch his a**”. Although it is not new, the U.S. president’s threat against President Petro following the successful operation in Venezuela has taken on a sharper tone.
Maduro fall: Trump threatens Colombia’s Petro after operation in Venezuela
As a result of this news, former Colombian presidents such as Ivan Duque (2018–2022) and Pastrana (1998–2002) made public statements about the capture, noting that the current president, Gustavo Petro, “must be very scared.” Following Trump’s past threats against the Colombian president, whom Washington labels a “drug trafficking leader” — although no evidence has been provided in this regard — there is concern in Colombia about a possible continuation of these U.S. operations beyond Venezuela’s borders.
In fact, during the midday press conference and responding to questions from journalists, Trump once again repeated threats against Petro. “Petro has factories where he produces cocaine,” the U.S. president repeated, referring to his Colombian counterpart.
However, Trump did not provide further details, and for his part, Gustavo Petro has already stated on his personal X social media account that he “is not worried about anything.” Although these statements were written before Trump’s threats, and in response to accusations against him issued by Colombia’s internal opposition.
No estoy preocupado para nada.
No tengo nada que esconderme como otros. Ni asesinatos, ni fosas comunes, ni 6.402 jóvenes asesinados en el gobierno que usted defiende, ni 3.000 presos políticos presos jóvenes. No convivimos con narcoterroristas que decidieron hasta refundar la… https://t.co/mhmK6SGG7i
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) January 3, 2026
Related: Cepeda Slams Trump’s Threats Against Petro as Election Meddling in Colombia.
The chronology of the break between Washington and Bogota
Relations between U.S. President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro have been marked by distrust, ideological distance, and rhetorical clashes that reflect two opposing visions of power, democracy, and international politics.
Trump built his foreign policy toward Latin America on pillars such as an uncompromising fight against drug trafficking, stricter immigration enforcement, and support for governments aligned with Washington.
In that context, Colombia was for years a key ally, especially under administrations aligned with the U.S. security agenda. Petro, by contrast, represents a break with that model. The first left-wing president in the country’s recent history, he has openly questioned the so-called war on drugs, advocated a social and environmental approach to the issue, and criticized U.S. interventionism in the region.
The disagreements have become evident both in public statements and political gestures, starting just days after Trump’s return to the White House. In fact, the U.S. president has been particularly critical of left-wing governments in Latin America, which he often associates with socialism and economic failure.
Petro, for his part, has denounced Trump’s legacy on issues such as climate change, human rights, and democratic erosion, aligning himself more closely with progressive leaders and multilateral organizations.
This tension is not only personal, but also has a marked ideological profile. It embodies the clash between conservative nationalism and a progressive agenda that seeks to redefine North–South relations.
Related: Venezuelans Take to Colombian Streets to Celebrate Maduro’s Arrest.