President Donald Trump recently responded to Colombian President Gustavo Petro after Petro suggested it might be necessary to "get rid of" Trump. This comment came during an interview with Univision, where Petro discussed the United States’ increasing counternarcotics efforts in Colombia.
Petro’s remarks included a call for change, stating, “Humanity has a first offramp, it is to choose to change Trump in various ways.” He even snapped his fingers while saying, “If not, get rid of Trump.” This statement drew a sharp reaction from Trump, who labeled Petro a "thug and bad guy." Trump accused Petro of contributing to drug trafficking and warned that he should "watch it" or face serious consequences from the U.S.
In his response, Trump revealed that he had halted all U.S. payments to Colombia as part of a strategy to pressure Petro to take stronger action against drug trafficking. He also referred to Petro as an “illegal drug dealer” and criticized his attitude towards the United States.
Former Drug Enforcement Administration official Wes Tabor commented on the changing dynamics between Colombia and the U.S., noting that Petro has distanced himself from American interests while aligning more closely with the socialist government of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. Tabor pointed out that Petro’s background is rooted in guerrilla warfare and Marxism, which has influenced his leadership style.
Tensions escalated further when the U.S. Department of War conducted operations in the Caribbean targeting drug cartel vessels, resulting in the deaths of several suspected traffickers. Petro accused U.S. officials of killing a fisherman instead of narco-terrorists during one of these strikes and claimed this violated Colombia’s sovereignty. In response, Trump hinted at imposing new tariffs on Colombia.
The exchange between Trump and Petro highlights the growing strain in U.S.-Colombian relations, particularly regarding drug policy and military operations. The situation remains fluid, with both leaders taking strong stances on their respective positions.
