Bogota: Colombian President Gustavo Petro issued a comprehensive rebuttal to US President Donald Trump's comments on Wednesday, accusing Trump of relying on 'complete misinformation' regarding Colombia's efforts to combat drug trafficking. This response followed Trump's warning that Petro 'will be next' amid escalating tensions with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
According to Anadolu Agency, Trump had previously criticized Petro, labeling him an 'illegal drug dealer.' On Wednesday, Trump intensified his rhetoric by suggesting that the Colombian leader 'is going to have himself some big problems if he doesn't wise up.' He accused Colombia of operating 'cocaine factories' that allegedly ship drugs directly to the United States.
In response, Petro took to the US social media platform X, referring to Trump as 'a man very misinformed about Colombia.' Petro stated that Trump's comments demonstrate 'disrespect toward a democratically elected president' and the Colombian nation. Petro remarked, 'It's a shame, because he dismisses the country that knows the most about cocaine trafficking,' suggesting that Trump's advisers have misled him.
Petro also addressed the political differences with Washington regarding Venezuela. He emphasized that Venezuela's primary issue is a 'lack of democracy, not narcotics.' Petro highlighted his collaboration with President Joe Biden over two years to establish a peaceful roadmap for Venezuela, which included a transitional government and the prospect of free elections.
Petro cautioned that any US-led invasion of Venezuela could 'burn all of South America, including Colombia,' potentially disrupting democratic cooperation across the region.
The US has increased its military operations against suspected trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific since early September, conducting 22 known attacks and resulting in at least 87 casualties. Trump confirmed the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker as part of this expanding campaign.
Petro rejected Trump's claim that missile strikes on small boats are an effective strategy in the drug war, pointing out that the operators of these boats are 'poor people,' while major traffickers reside abroad 'on yachts near Dubai or in Madrid.'
The Colombian president noted that his administration has executed over 1,446 ground combat operations against criminal organizations and 13 bombings targeting mafia leaders, coordinating many of these efforts with US intelligence.
Petro emphasized that the Caribbean is no longer the primary route for cocaine shipments, which now predominantly traverse the Pacific Ocean and Amazon Basin. He advocated for enhanced port control and maritime monitoring in coordination with US assistance, including the expedited production of surveillance vessels within Colombian shipyards.