United States President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Colombian President Gustavo Petro, telling him to “watch his ass” or risk military action, coming just hours after U.S. forces carried out a dramatic operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
Trump made the remarks during a press interaction at his Mar-a-Lago resort, in a video later shared by BRICS News on X.com on Saturday. Asked to clarify an earlier threat directed at Petro, the U.S. president doubled down.
“Well, he has cocaine mills, he has factories where he makes cocaine, and yeah, I think I stick by my first statement. He’s making cocaine, they’re sending it into the United States, so he does have to watch his ass,” Trump said.
The comments followed Colombia’s sharp criticism of the U.S.-led military operation in neighboring Venezuela. President Petro, writing on his official X account, expressed alarm over the unfolding events.
“The Government of the Republic of Colombia observes with deep concern the reports of explosions and unusual aerial activity recorded in recent hours in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, as well as the consequent escalation of tension in the region,” he wrote.
In response to the situation, the Colombian government announced plans to reinforce security along its 2,219-kilometre eastern border with Venezuela, citing fears of regional spillover after the U.S. action.
Petro also rejected Trump’s allegations linking his administration to cocaine production. He said he was “not worried about anything” and dared the U.S. president to visit Colombia to witness anti-narcotics efforts firsthand, noting that his government destroys cocaine laboratories “one every 40 minutes, without missiles.”
The U.S. operation in Venezuela was launched in the early hours of Saturday and, according to Trump, represented “one of the most stunning displays of American military might since World War II.” The offensive reportedly involved no fewer than 150 aircraft striking multiple targets across the country.
Following the raid, Maduro and his wife were arrested and flown out of Venezuela. U.S. authorities say they now face charges in New York, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to import cocaine, and multiple weapons-related offenses.
Trump’s latest remarks have also revived memories of his earlier hardline posture toward Nigeria.
On Christmas Day, he authorised airstrikes in Sokoto State after reaching an agreement with the Federal Government to target ISIS-linked militants. This came months after his administration designated Nigeria “a country of particular concern” over religious freedom.
