US President Donald Trump has warned that Colombia could be the next country to face a possible US military operation, while also claiming that Washington is now “in charge” of Venezuela following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday aboard Air Force One, Trump launched a sharp attack on Colombia’s leftist president, Gustavo Petro, describing him as a “sick man” and accusing him of being involved in cocaine production. Trump said Petro should “watch himself” amid rising tensions between Washington and Bogotá.
Trump’s remarks came after Petro condemned the US military action in Venezuela, calling it an “assault on the sovereignty” of Latin America.
“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,” Trump said.
When asked directly whether the United States would consider launching a military operation against Colombia, Trump responded bluntly: “It sounds good to me.”
The comments followed the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces. Maduro was scheduled to make his first appearance in a federal court in Manhattan on Monday.
Earlier, Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, called for restraint, urging peaceful engagement rather than conflict.
“We prioritize moving toward balanced and respectful international relations between the United States and Venezuela,” Rodríguez said.
She added, “President Donald Trump, our peoples, and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war. This has always been President Nicolás Maduro’s message, and it is the message of all of Venezuela right now.”
