ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- United States President Donald Trump has issued a fresh threat against Colombian President Gustavo Petro, warning that Colombia could face military action, hours after American forces invaded Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro in a dramatic early-morning operation.
Trump made the remarks during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, responding to questions about a video circulating online in which he warned Petro to “watch his a^^.”
In the video, which was shared on X by BRICS News on Saturday, Trump accused the Colombian leader of presiding over cocaine production and trafficking into the United States.
“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 came shortly after Colombia criticised the U.S. military operation in neighbouring Venezuela.
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In a post on his official X account, President Petro expressed concern over reports of explosions and unusual aerial activity in Venezuela following the American invasion.
“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,” Petro wrote.
Following the U.S. operation, Colombian authorities announced plans to reinforce security along the country’s 2,219-kilometre eastern border with Venezuela.
Petro also rejected Trump’s accusations, saying he was unfazed by the threats and challenging the U.S. president to visit Colombia to witness his government’s anti-narcotics operations.
“He is not worried about anything,” Petro said, adding that Colombia dismantles cocaine laboratories “one every 40 minutes, without missiles.”
Earlier on Saturday, Trump announced that the United States had launched what he described as “one of the most stunning displays of American military might since World War II,” involving at least 150 aircraft striking multiple targets across Venezuela.
Maduro and his wife were reportedly captured during the operation and flown out of the country. U.S. authorities say they are now facing charges in New York, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons-related offences.
The incident adds to a pattern of aggressive foreign policy moves by the Trump administration.