Bogotá, January 6, 2026 — Colombian President Gustavo Petro issued a defiant and provocative response to U.S. President Donald Trump on January 5, 2026, daring him with the words "Come get me" and declaring, "I’m waiting for you here. Don't threaten me, I'll wait for you right here if you want to."
In a strongly worded statement posted on social media and echoed in public remarks, Petro rejected any form of U.S. military intervention, stating: "I don't accept invasions, missiles, or assassinations, only intel. Come speak here with intelligence, and we'll receive you and talk face-to-face with facts, not lies. Stop getting lied to by Colombian political mafias who condemned us to 700,000 deaths and made us the world's most unequal country."
Petro's remarks come in direct response to Trump's escalating accusations and threats against him, intensified following the dramatic U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend. Trump has repeatedly accused Petro, without presenting evidence, of facilitating drug trafficking and described Colombia as "very sick" under his leadership.
During comments aboard Air Force One and in subsequent press interactions on January 4-5, Trump referred to Petro as a "sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States," claiming the Colombian leader operates "cocaine mills and cocaine factories." When pressed by reporters on whether a similar operation to the one in Venezuela could target Colombia, Trump replied, "It sounds good to me." He further warned Petro to "watch his a--," implying potential consequences if drug flows into the U.S. do not cease.
The exchange marks a sharp deterioration in U.S.-Colombia relations, historically close due to decades of cooperation on counternarcotics efforts. Colombia remains the world's largest producer of cocaine, but Petro's administration has shifted away from militarized eradication toward voluntary crop substitution and social programs, a policy Trump has criticized as ineffective.
Petro, a former member of the M-19 guerrilla group who demobilized in the 1990s and later became a prominent leftist politician, has vowed to defend Colombia's sovereignty vigorously. In additional statements, he indicated readiness to "take up arms again" if necessary, saying he had sworn off weapons after the 1989 peace accord but would do so "for the homeland." He also called on Colombians to mobilize in defense of national sovereignty and deployed over 30,000 troops along the Venezuela border to manage potential fallout from the Maduro operation.
Analysts describe the rhetoric as unprecedented in modern U.S.-Latin American relations, raising concerns about regional stability. The Maduro capture—described by the Trump administration as a success in combating drug cartels—has emboldened threats against other leaders perceived as soft on narcotics, including warnings to Mexico and Cuba.
Petro has defended his government's record, highlighting what he calls the largest cocaine seizures in history, curbs on coca cultivation expansion, and adherence to humanitarian standards in operations against armed groups. He accused Trump of being influenced by Colombia's right-wing opposition and "political mafias" linked to past violence and inequality.
The U.S. has previously imposed sanctions on Petro, his family, and officials, decertifying Colombia as a full partner in drug control efforts and revoking visas. These measures stem from disputes over deportation flights, migration, and differing approaches to the "war on drugs."
International reactions have varied. Some Latin American leaders condemned the Venezuela intervention as a violation of sovereignty, while others remained cautious. Russia and China have criticized U.S. actions, with implications for broader geopolitical tensions.
Colombia's defense minister has sought to downplay immediate risks, emphasizing ongoing cooperation with Washington on security matters, but acknowledged heightened alertness.
As tensions simmer, observers note that Petro's term ends in August 2026, with elections approaching in May. The crisis could bolster his leftist base or galvanize opposition, potentially influencing the political landscape ahead of the vote.
This war of words underscores Trump's aggressive stance on drug trafficking in his second term, prioritizing direct action over traditional diplomacy. Whether rhetoric escalates to action remains uncertain, but the exchange has already strained bilateral ties and drawn global attention to Latin America's evolving dynamics with the United States.
