Former President Donald Trump warned that countries supplying narcotics to the United States—citing Colombia—could face attacks, and later announced that the U.S. would strike targets in Venezuela.
Trump Suggests Strike on Colombia
During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, December 2, the former president warned that any country engaged in drug smuggling into the United States would risk an attack. He cited Colombia as an example.
“I heard that Colombia produces cocaine. They have cocaine factories, and then they sell it to us,” he said. “Everyone who makes and sells cocaine into our country risks being attacked.”
In October, the administration imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, accusing him of failing to curb illegal drug smuggling. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessey said Petro had let drug cartels flourish and refused to stop the activity.
Gustavo Petro Responds to Trump’s Threats
Petro replied on social media, inviting Trump to visit Colombia to inspect how the country tackles drug cartels.
“Without using rockets, I destroyed 18,400 laboratories during my tenure. Let me show you how we destroy them—one laboratory every 40 minutes. Do not threaten our sovereignty, or you will awaken the jaguar. Attacking our sovereignty is declaring war. Please do not damage the two centuries of diplomatic relations,” he said.
Petro added that Colombia had helped stop thousands of tonnes of cocaine from reaching Americans, emphasizing that it was the country that had made the difference.
Trump Announces Planned Attacks on Venezuela
During another cabinet briefing, Trump announced that the United States would launch attacks on targets in Venezuela. He said, “We will start raids on land as well. We know where they live, and soon we will act.”
CNN reports the statement escalates the administration’s offensive against alleged drug traffickers. Trump maintains that the attacks are necessary to curb drug inflows into the U.S.
Washington has been pressuring Caracas for weeks and has moved additional forces into the region. The White House also issued a directive on November 30 urging airlines to avoid Venezuelan airspace.