President Trump warns Colombia could be the next country to face a military operation
In a significant escalation of regional tensions, US President Donald Trump has suggested that Colombia could be the next target for a military operation. Speaking on Sunday aboard Air Force One, the President took a aggressive stance toward Colombian President Gustavo Petro, describing him as a “sick man” who “likes making cocaine.” Trump’s sharp rhetoric included a blunt warning for Petro to “watch his a**,” following the Colombian leader’s condemnation of recent US military actions in Venezuela as an “assault on the sovereignty” of Latin America.
The tension between Washington and Bogotá has intensified following the dramatic capture of Nicolás Maduro by US forces. Trump alleged that Petro is involved in the production and sale of cocaine to the United States, claiming the Colombian leader would not be doing so “very long.” When questioned by reporters about the possibility of a direct military intervention against Colombia, the President did not hesitate, replying, “It sounds good to me.”
While Trump asserts that the United States is now “in charge” of Venezuela to ensure a “safe, proper and judicious transition,” the situation in Caracas remains fluid. On Monday, January 5, 2026, the deposed Nicolás Maduro was scheduled to make his first appearance in a Manhattan federal court to face narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges. The US administration has indicated it intends to oversee Venezuela’s administration temporarily, specifically focusing on the restoration of its oil infrastructure through American energy firms.
In Caracas, acting president Delcy Rodríguez has adopted a more conciliatory tone despite the circumstances, issuing a call for “peace and dialogue, not war.” In a statement directed at the White House, she expressed a desire for balanced and respectful international relations. “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,” Rodríguez stated, inviting the US to collaborate on a development agenda.
Despite this call for diplomacy, President Trump has maintained his forceful approach, demanding “total access” to Venezuela’s resources and warning Rodríguez of severe consequences if she fails to cooperate. The administration’s focus on eliminating drug flow and reclaiming oil interests remains the cornerstone of its current South American policy. As Maduro faces his legal battle in New York, the eyes of the international community remain fixed on the potential for further military expansion into neighboring Colombia
