President Donald Trump sharply warned Colombia on Wednesday, threatening that President Gustavo Petro could be the next target in Washington’s regional crackdown on drug trafficking, Politico reported.
Speaking to reporters, Trump initially downplayed the focus on Petro: “I haven’t really thought too much about” him. But he quickly shifted to a pointed warning: “Colombia is producing a lot of drugs. So he better wise up or he’ll be next. He’ll be next soon. I hope he’s listening, he’s going to be next.”
The statement follows Trump’s recent discussions about potentially expanding US anti-drug operations beyond Venezuela, which has been the main focus of strikes against suspected drug shipments in the Caribbean and Pacific.
Since September, US forces have launched multiple operations targeting alleged drug vessels, and a significant military presence has been deployed off Venezuela’s coast to pressure President Nicolas Maduro.
Tensions between the US and Petro have been mounting. In recent months, Washington decertified Colombia as a drug control partner, revoked Petro’s visa, cut aid, and labelled him an “illegal drug dealer.”
Although Trump has hinted at wanting Petro removed from office, the Colombian president’s term is set to end due to constitutional limits, with presidential elections scheduled for May, potentially allowing a change in leadership without direct US intervention.
Requests for comment from the Colombian embassy went unanswered, the politico report said.
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