January 5, 2026 | Bogotá / Washington — Dalena Reporters
BOGOTÁ — Colombian President Gustavo Petro has forcefully rebuffed recent threats and accusations from U.S. President Donald Trump, rejecting claims of involvement in drug trafficking and warning against interference in Colombia’s affairs as tensions simmer in the wake of Washington’s controversial military action in Venezuela.
Speaking publicly on Sunday, January 4, 2026, Petro dismissed Trump’s assertions labeling him a drug trafficker and threatening possible U.S. military measures against Colombia — comments that followed Washington’s high-profile operation in Caracas that saw Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro captured and transported to the United States. “Stop slandering me, Mr. Trump,” Petro posted on social media platform X, underscoring that his name does not appear in Colombian judicial records on drug trafficking and challenging the U.S. narrative.
In a coordinated response, Colombia’s foreign ministry described Trump’s remarks as “unacceptable interference” and demanded respect for the nation’s sovereignty and the democratic mandate that brought Petro to power. The rebuke highlights widening diplomatic strains between the traditional U.S. ally and the Trump administration amid broader geopolitical unrest in the region.
Petro also framed the dispute in broader terms of regional dignity and autonomy, criticizing what he characterizes as a pattern of hostile rhetoric from Washington. “Friends do not bomb,” he wrote, referencing objections not only to Trump’s military posture but also to alleged condemnations of Colombian governance and security policy.
The tension marks a significant deterioration in U.S.–Colombian relations, which have historically been defined by cooperation on trade, security, and counter-narcotics efforts but have grown strained under Trump’s second term. Policy disagreements have encompassed tariff disputes, migration enforcement, and divergent approaches to regional security, even prior to the current Venezuela crisis.
Colombia continues to emphasize its record in combating drug production and trafficking, asserting that efforts under Petro’s administration have included numerous interdictions and seizures, even as it defends national sovereignty against what it views as exaggerated or unfounded U.S. allegations.
As diplomatic relations fray, Petro’s statements reflect both domestic political resolve and regional advocacy for Latin American independence, even as global and hemispheric tensions escalate following recent U.S. interventions in Venezuela. The coming days are likely to see continued diplomatic exchanges and engagements at international fora as both nations navigate this highly charged moment.