Key Points

• Colombia's Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio announced a formal diplomatic protest to the US after President Donald Trump accused President Gustavo Petro of drug trafficking.
• Trump labelled Colombia a 'very sick' country run by a 'sick man' involved in 'making cocaine and selling it to the United States', stating Petro 'is not going to be doing it very long'.
• Villavicencio stressed that 'an offence against the president is an offence to our country' and a disregard for democratic processes.
• Petro responded defiantly, threatening to 'take up arms again' if the US attacks Colombia, citing his past in the M-19 guerrilla movement.
• A planned meeting between Villavicencio and US Chargé d'Affaires John McNamara to deliver a diplomatic note rejecting the 'insults and threats'.
• Trump indicated a potential operation against Colombia 'sounds good to me' when questioned.
• Background includes US revocation of Petro's visa for urging US soldiers to disobey orders and ongoing tensions over Venezuela, drug enforcement, and regional sanctions.
• Petro denied drug links, criticised US strikes as ineffective against major traffickers, and warned of regional fallout from US military actions.

**INVERTED PYRAMID OF TRIANGLE**

What Prompted Colombia's Protest?

As reported by staff at Anadolu Agency, Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio stated during a news conference in Hamilton, Canada, that Colombia sent a letter of protest to the US. She announced plans for a meeting with US Chargé d'Affaires John McNamara to present a "diplomatic note, rejecting these insults, threats" against President Gustavo Petro. Villavicencio underlined, "Underlining that Petro is Colombia's democratically elected president, she stressed that 'an offence against the president is an offence to our country and a disregard for all the democratic processes that we have carried out'" [2].

Similarly, as covered by TRT World, Villavicencio echoed these sentiments, confirming the dispatch of the protest letter after Trump's accusations. The remarks followed Trump's direct warning to Petro, positioning Colombia in the crosshairs of US anti-drug campaigns post-Venezuela operations [5].

What Did Trump Say About Petro?

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, President Donald Trump described Colombia as a "very sick" country run by a "sick man", claiming without evidence that Petro was engaged in "making cocaine and selling it to the United States". He added that Petro "is not going to be doing it very long". When asked about a potential operation against Colombia, Trump replied, "It sounds good to me" [2][5].

As detailed by Fox News, Trump has previously labelled Petro an "illegal drug dealer" and a "lunatic". In the latest exchange, he accused Petro of running "cocaine mills and cocaine factories", tying the comments to criticisms of Colombia's leadership allowing drug flows into the US [8].

Hindustan Times coverage via YouTube highlighted Trump's response to Petro's prior criticisms over Venezuelan oil seizures and claims about US Southwest lands, where Trump stressed support for the Colombian people but not their government [4].

How Did President Petro Respond?

Colombian President Gustavo Petro issued a defiant rebuttal, drawing on his history as a former M-19 guerrilla. As reported by Fox News, Petro posted on X, "Although I have not been a military man, I know about war and clandestinity. I swore not to touch a weapon again since the 1989 Peace Pact, but for the Homeland I will take up arms again that I do not want." He warned, "If you bomb even one of these groups without sufficient intelligence, you will kill many children. If you bomb peasants, thousands of guerrillas will return in the mountains. If you detain a president whom much of my people want and respect, you will unleash the people’s jaguar" [8].

Euronews noted Petro vowed to "take up arms" after Trump's threats and accusations, defending his anti-narcotics policy while stressing limits on military aggression [9].

According to Anadolu Agency in an earlier report, Petro called Trump “a man very misinformed about Colombia”, accusing him of “complete misinformation” on drug trafficking. Petro insisted, “It’s a shame, because he dismisses the country that knows the most about cocaine trafficking. It seems his advisers deceive him completely,” and highlighted political differences over Venezuela [3].

Global News quoted Petro denying Trump's drug accusations and criticising US strikes on vessels as targeting "poor people" while major traffickers reside abroad "on yachts near Dubai or in Madrid" [11].

What is the Context of US-Colombia Tensions?

The dispute builds on prior frictions. As per Fox News, the Trump administration revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US soldiers in New York to "disobey the orders of Trump" and "obey the orders of humanity". A US State Department X post read, “Earlier today, Colombian president @petrogustavo stood on a NYC street and urged U.S. soldiers to disobey orders and incite violence. We will revoke Petro’s visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions” [8][11].

Anadolu Agency linked the row to escalating US-Venezuela tensions, with Trump warning Petro “will be next” amid operations like seizing a Venezuelan oil tanker and strikes killing at least 87 [3].

Petro has condemned US actions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, arguing they fail to address root causes and could "burn all of South America, including Colombia" [3]. Politico observed Latin America's relative silence as Trump menaced Colombia alongside Cuba and Mexico over drugs [15].

CBS News via YouTube tied Trump's comments to operations following Nicolás Maduro's capture, with Trump implying Colombia as a next target [7].

What Actions Has Colombia Taken Diplomatically?

Beyond the protest note, Colombia's Foreign Ministry characterised Trump's warnings as "interference in Colombian affairs", invoking sovereignty principles, as noted in YouTube coverage [6]. Villavicencio's scheduled delivery to McNamara underscores the formal diplomatic channel [2].

Petro pushed for cooperation on drugs but defended sovereignty, stating Colombia "must defend" itself while continuing to "co-operate", per another YouTube report [12].

Who Are the Key Figures Involved?

• President Donald Trump: Current US President, reelected in 2024, leading aggressive anti-drug campaigns.
• President Gustavo Petro: Colombia's leftist leader, former guerrilla, elected democratically, vocal critic of US policies.
• Rosa Villavicencio: Colombia's Foreign Minister, spearheading the protest.
• John McNamara: US Chargé d'Affaires in Colombia, set to receive the diplomatic note.
• Nicolás Maduro: Former Venezuelan leader whose capture heightened regional stakes.

What Broader Implications Arise?

The clash risks derailing US-Colombia anti-drug partnerships, with Trump removing Colombia from certified allies lists and imposing sanctions on Petro's family, as per Euronews [9]. Petro's responses evoke historical resistances, potentially mobilising domestic support but alarming allies [10].

Analyses from ABC News and Politico suggest Trump's rhetoric targets multiple Latin nations, testing regional responses amid economic and migration pressures [13][15]. Colombia maintains its people are supported by Trump, separating leadership from populace [4].

Observers note Petro's defiance mirrors prior taunts like Maduro's, with phrases such as 'Come Get Me' circulating in media [10][14]. The standoff underscores diverging visions for hemispheric security.

How Have Media Outlets Covered the Story?

Outlets like Anadolu Agency, TRT World, Fox News, Euronews, Global News, and Hindustan Times (via video) provided on-the-ground and official quotes, ensuring comprehensive reporting. YouTube channels from CBS, ABC affiliates, and independents amplified real-time reactions, capturing the feud's virality [2][3][4][5][7][8][9][11].

This coverage, spanning 4-6 January 2026, reflects global interest in US-Latin dynamics under Trump's renewed term.