United States President Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning to Colombian President Gustavo Petro, following the US-led military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Speaking on Fox & Friends on Saturday, Trump suggested that the operation in Venezuela may not be the last US action in the region.
He also hinted at possible future moves involving Mexico, despite describing it as a US ally, repeating claims that drug cartels wield significant control there.
“Something’s going to have to be done with Mexico,” Trump said.
The US president later escalated his remarks during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, directing pointed comments at Colombia and President Petro.
“I stick by my first statement. He’s making cocaine,” Trump said, referring to Petro. “They’re sending it into the United States, so he does have to watch his ass.”
Petro, 65, is Colombia’s first left-wing president in the country’s modern political history.
Also addressing the situation, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Cuba of playing a central role in Venezuela’s prolonged crisis, alleging that Havana has exerted deep influence over the country’s security apparatus.
“This poor island took over Venezuela in some cases,” Rubio said.
“One of the biggest problems Venezuelans have is they have to declare independence from Cuba. They basically tried to colonise it from a security standpoint.”
The remarks come amid heightened geopolitical tension in Latin America following the US operation in Venezuela, which has drawn global attention and condemnation from several quarters.