Trump Signals Possible Action Against Colombia After Venezuela Strike

US President Donald Trump on Sunday suggested that Washington could take further action against other countries following the attack on Venezuela, openly singling out Colombia and its president, Gustavo Petro. He also portrayed Cuba as a country “ready to fall”, widening the scope of his warnings beyond Caracas.

The relationship between the United States and Colombia began to sour after Trump’s return to the White House in January, when his administration moved aggressively to curb irregular immigration. Tensions flared after President Petro blocked US military aircraft carrying undocumented migrants, insisting deportees be treated with dignity. Trump responded by threatening steep tariffs on Colombian imports and withdrawing visas for Colombian government officials before deportation flights eventually resumed.

For years, Washington and Bogotá worked closely on anti-narcotics efforts, and since 2017 the U.S. has provided about $1.5 billion to support Colombia’s peace process. But Petro’s shift away from forced coca eradication toward development-based drug policies has strained ties, prompting the U.S. Congress to scale back aid in recent years. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump went further, suggesting Colombia could face the same kind of action Venezuela did. He described the country as being “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States,” adding, “He’s not going to be doing it very long.” When asked whether the U.S. might move against Colombia, Trump replied, “Sounds good to me.”

Petro responded sharply, warning that without unity, Latin American nations risk being treated as “servants and slaves”. Trump also said US action would not be limited to Colombia, naming Mexico, Iran, and other countries as potential targets over separate concerns. He claimed drugs were “pouring” through Mexico and reiterated earlier warnings toward Cuba. During the same remarks, Trump again raised the possibility of US control over Greenland, calling the Danish territory vital to American security.