US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a day after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured in a military operation. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump told Petro to “get a grip” on the country’s cocaine production and trafficking, claiming that Colombia is the source of the drug.
Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro called the US position an attack on Latin America’s sovereignty, warning that such a move could lead to a humanitarian crisis across the region.
Petro has been critical of the Trump administration since it deployed US troops against alleged drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean. Recently, Petro denounced Trump’s decision to not rule out the possibility of attacking Colombian drug labs as a threat of aggression.
Regarding the US role in Latin America, Trump said that there can no longer be any question about US influence in the Western Hemisphere. He highlighted the importance of energy resources and said that the stability and energy security of the region are very important to the United States.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has hinted that Cuba could be the Trump administration’s next target. Trump also spoke harshly about Mexico, saying the country is being effectively controlled by drug cartels, although he personally described Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as a “good person.”