WASHINGTON – Former President donald Trump issued a direct warning to Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday, signaling a potential escalation of tensions between the two nations amid ongoing disputes over drug policy and regional security. The exchange follows a recent, and still largely undisclosed, conversation between Trump and Venezuelan President nicolás Maduro, raising questions about the former president’s independent foreign policy maneuvering. With Colombia remaining a critical,though increasingly strained,U.S.partner in counter-narcotics efforts, Trump’s comments underscore a hardening stance toward nations perceived as failing to adequately address drug production and trafficking.
Former President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, threatening potential repercussions if Petro doesn’t alter his critical stance toward U.S. policy in Latin America. The exchange comes amid escalating tensions over drug trafficking and regional security.
“He’s going to get into big trouble if he doesn’t get his act together,” Trump told reporters, adding that Petro “will be next” if he doesn’t “open his eyes.” He indicated he was addressing Petro directly, stating, “I hope he’s listening.”
Trump acknowledged he hasn’t “thought much about” whether he would speak with Petro directly, contrasting with a recent conversation he held with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Details of that call remain undisclosed, but Trump previously confirmed the discussion.
The former president also highlighted Colombia’s role as a major producer of cocaine, stating, “Colombia is a great producer of drugs, that is, cocaine.” This comment underscores the focus on narcotics as a central issue in the U.S.-Colombia relationship.
Trump has repeatedly stated that military action against “narcoterrorists” in the Caribbean and Pacific regions is imminent, potentially extending into Venezuelan and other territories as part of an ongoing anti-drug offensive. The move underscores a more assertive approach to combating drug trafficking at its source.
In a separate announcement on Wednesday, Trump revealed that the U.S. had seized a “large” oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, though he provided no further specifics. The seizure occurred as part of broader efforts to disrupt illicit financial networks.
Gustavo Petro has been a vocal critic of Washington’s approach to Latin America, and this latest exchange suggests a growing rift between the two leaders. Colombia remains a key partner for the U.S. in the region, but the relationship appears increasingly strained.
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