President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Colombia over its ongoing drug trafficking issues, suggesting that military intervention by the United States could be a potential course of action if the South American country does not effectively address the crisis. This development marks a significant escalation in the strained relationship between Washington and Bogotá.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his return to the White House from his Mar-A-Lago estate, President Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Colombian President Gustavo Petro's handling of the narcotics problem. "Colombia is very sick, too. Run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States. And he’s not going to be doing it very long, let me tell you," Trump stated. His blunt remarks come in the wake of a series of U.S. military operations in the region that have heightened tensions.
When questioned about the possibility of future U.S. operations within Colombian territory, President Trump responded, "Sounds good to me," indicating a willingness to consider such actions. This exchange between the President and the press was captured on video and shared by Disclose.tv on January 5, 2026.
The relationship between Trump and Petro has been fraught with conflict over the past year. Petro has labeled the United States a rogue "colonial" state and has made unsubstantiated accusations against Trump regarding involvement in Jeffrey Epstein's crimes. Tensions mounted further when, during an address to the UN General Assembly on October 25, Petro encouraged American soldiers to defy any inhumane orders from President Trump, leading to the revocation of Petro's visa by the U.S. government.
Following the U.S. operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Petro reacted swiftly, deploying troops to Colombia's border and calling for United Nations intervention. The drug trafficking issue in Colombia has its roots in the 1970s, with the country becoming a central marijuana supplier to the U.S., and later escalating to large-scale cocaine production in the 1980s. This era saw the rise of powerful cartels based in Medellín and Cali, establishing Colombia as a hub of the cocaine trade.
The involvement of guerrilla organizations, such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), in drug operations further complicated the crisis. The U.S. has designated the ELN as a terrorist organization and has conducted multiple military strikes against the group following Trump's authorization of military action against drug traffickers in the region. One such strike on October 17, 2025, targeted an ELN vessel, resulting in three casualties. More recently, on December 31, 2025, American forces reportedly struck a cocaine processing facility in Maracaibo, Venezuela, believed to be operated by the ELN.
This series of events underscores the complex and volatile nature of the U.S.-Colombia relationship, as both nations grapple with the enduring challenges of drug trafficking and regional stability.
