Trump calls Colombian president ‘next target’ in anti-drug campaign.
US President Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday, referring to Colombian President Gustavo Petro, that Colombia produces a lot of drugs, so they’d better be smart, or they’ll be next… I hope they’re listening; they’re next. He initially claimed not to have thought much about Petro, but then changed his tone to a direct threat.
The latest comments are a continuation of Trump’s escalation of his stance against the Colombian government. Earlier this week, Trump told Politico that he might expand the military anti-smuggling operation, which has so far focused on Venezuela, to Mexico and Colombia.
Since September, Trump has ordered a series of operations against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean, and has tried to put more pressure on Nicolas Maduro to step down by deploying large numbers of US troops off the coast of Venezuela.
Tensions between Washington and Bogota have been rising in recent months. In September, the US removed Colombia from its list of drug control partners, revoked Petro’s visa, and cut off anti-drug aid. The following month, Washington described Petro as an “illegal drug trafficker.”
While Trump has openly opposed Petro’s continued presidency, Colombia’s constitutional term limits could lead to a change of power without direct action from Washington; the country’s presidential elections are due in May.
Colombia has not yet responded to Trump’s recent comments.