US President Donald Trump on 4/1 stated on Air Force One, "Colombia is having many problems, under the leadership of someone taking concerning actions, who likes to produce cocaine and sell it to the United States. He will not be able to do that much longer."

Trump's comments came amid escalating tensions between the two nations, primarily fueled by the situation in neighboring Venezuela. "We are moving towards having surrounding nations that are stable and successful, where the flow of oil circulates freely," Trump said. "This helps lower oil prices and is good for our country."

When asked by reporters if these comments meant the US might launch a military operation in Colombia in the future, Trump replied, "That sounds good." He added, "Do you know why? Because they kill a lot of people," though President Trump provided no evidence.

Trump also mentioned neighboring Mexico, stating that the country "needs to clean up its act because drugs are flooding in from Mexico, and we will have to do something about it." He noted that he had repeatedly offered military assistance to Mexico, but President Claudia Sheinbaum "seemed a bit hesitant." Mexico has not commented on Trump's statements.

US President Donald Trump (left) and Colombian President Gustavo Petro (right). Photo: AP

Colombian President Gustavo Petro responded on social media platform X, stating, "Mr. Trump, stop slandering me." Petro wrote, "That is not how you threaten a Latin American president who became a leader after armed struggle and fighting for peace for the Colombian people."

Petro sharply criticized the US military operation to apprehend Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, asserting that the activity lacked legal basis. "I do not know how good or bad Mr. Maduro is. But after half a century of us dealing with the largest drug gangs, the name Nicolas Maduro or his wife, Cilia Flores, is not in the records of the Colombian justice system," President Petro stated. "The accusers of Mr. Maduro are none other than opposition leaders aiming to reverse election results."

President Petro believes that the US leader's accusation of him being a cocaine gang boss is intended to punish him for his speech defending Palestinians in the Gaza Strip before the United Nations. "I do not have cars, I do not own estates abroad; I buy my home with mortgage payments from my salary," he stated. "That is unjust, and I fight against injustice."

Venezuela and Colombia border. Graphic: Google Maps

Petro urged US officials, "Do not think that Latin America is just a den of criminals poisoning your citizens; respect and reread our history, which spans 30,000 years across the Americas." He added, "I read US history to understand you. Do not only see drug traffickers where there are fighters for genuine democracy and freedom."

Colombia and the United States are important military and economic allies in the region, but relations between the two countries have recently become strained. Since beginning his second term last year, Trump and Petro have frequently debated issues such as tariffs and migration policy.

After the US apprehended President Maduro, the Colombian government activated a series of preventive measures to protect its citizens and maintain stability in the area bordering Venezuela. The Colombian army deployed armored vehicles and soldiers to the border to enhance security in the region. Colombia identifies the greatest threat along the border as criminal gangs and rebel forces. The Colombian government is open to declaring a state of emergency in localities along the 2,200 km border with Venezuela if the US takes further military action, causing a security crisis or a wave of refugees.

Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, CNN, AP)