Colombian President Gustavo Petro has openly challenged US President Donald Trump after the later hinted a similar operation like Venezuela in the South American country, sharply escalating diplomatic tensions in the region. Petro criticised Washington’s actions and warned of serious consequences if similar measures were extended to Colombia.
In a direct message aimed at Trump, Petro said, “Come get me. I’m waiting for you here.” The Colombian leader then warned that a military aggression would spark widespread resistance, adding, “If they [the US] bomb, the campesinos will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people.”
Petro, who was once part of a leftist guerrilla movement before demobilising in the 1990s, also invoked his past while underlining his stance. “I swore not to touch a weapon again … but for the homeland I will take up arms again,” he said.
Trump’s remarks fuel diplomatic standoff
The confrontation intensified after Trump, responding to the Venezuela operation, made pointed remarks about Colombia’s leadership. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, he alleged, “Colombia is very sick too, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States. And he’s not going to be doing it very long, let me tell you.”
Trump further escalated rhetoric by suggesting that a military operation against Colombia was a possibility, saying such an action “sounds good” to him.
Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by reaffirming its commitment to diplomacy. In a statement, it said the country would “maintain international relations based on dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect”, while stressing that it “considers threats or the use of force in relations between States unacceptable.”
Venezuela raid echoes regional tensions
The dispute comes against the backdrop of a dramatic US operation in Venezuela that reportedly led to the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Trump said the pair had been indicted on charges of alleged “drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracies” in the Southern District of New York.
Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, with coca cultivation concentrated across Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. Trump had previously sanctioned Petro and members of his family in October, citing alleged links to the illegal drug trade.
The episode mirrors earlier confrontations with Maduro, who had challenged Trump in August, declaring, “Come get me. I will wait for him here in Miraflores. Don’t be late, coward.”
Following the weekend operation, the White House released a viral video mocking Maduro, featuring footage of the raid and clips from Trump’s press briefing. During the video, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth was heard saying that Maduro “had his chance – until he didn’t”, followed by the remark, “He f****d around and found out.”