Colombian President Gustavo Petro issued a response on Saturday night to remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who had threatened to target him after the arrest of Nicolás Maduro in Caracas during a U.S. military operation.
"I felt compelled to respond to Trump. While many advised against it to avoid complicating the situation further, I believe it's important to inform the public about what's happening," Petro stated in a social media broadcast, emphasizing that Trump is "greatly misguided" about Colombia.
"It's unfortunate because he's disregarding the country with the most knowledge on cocaine trafficking," Petro remarked, defending his administration's anti-drug policies.
Petro detailed, "Our military has engaged in forty-six ground battles against drug cartels under my leadership, alongside twelve airstrikes; we've confiscated two thousand seven hundred tons of cocaine."
The Colombian leader further explained that this amount translates to approximately "thirty-two billion doses that never reached consumer countries' streets." He added, "Imagine, Mr. President—five million doses prevented from entering the U.S. and other consumer nations. Yet, it appears as though we have achieved nothing."
The Threat from Trump
Petro's comments came in response to Trump's stern warning during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday.
When questioned about the region's escalating drug trade following Maduro's capture, the U.S. President stated, "He's running factories producing cocaine. They're manufacturing cocaine and shipping it to the United States. So, he needs to watch his back."
Trump, who had authorized the military operation in Caracas leading to the apprehension of Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, added, "I hope he's listening. He'll be next."
Earlier, Petro had denounced the U.S. military action, asserting that his government "rejects the assault on the sovereignty of Venezuela and Latin America," and called for "peace and dialogue."
Maduro and Flores are now in New York, where they might face charges in a federal court in Manhattan, according to U.S. government sources.
Understanding U.S.-Colombian Relations
What prompted President Petro's response to Trump?
President Petro responded to Trump's remarks after Trump threatened him following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, suggesting Petro might be the next target.
How has Colombia's anti-drug policy been characterized?
Colombia, under President Petro, has undertaken extensive military operations against drug cartels, including ground battles and airstrikes, resulting in the seizure of significant amounts of cocaine.