Trump Warns Colombian President After Capture of Venezuela’s Maduro, Sparks Regional Tensions
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning to Colombian President Gustavo Petro following a U.S. military operation that reportedly captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and removed him from the country, escalating tensions across the region.
The warning came after President Petro condemned the U.S. military action in Venezuela and called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Speaking at a press conference in Florida, Trump accused the Colombian leader of links to drug trafficking into the United States.
“He has cocaine mills and factories where he makes cocaine, and they’re sending it into the United States,” Trump alleged, adding that Petro “does have to watch his a–.”
Trump also renewed accusations against Venezuela, claiming that Caracas had long been responsible for illegal drugs entering the U.S., particularly in the lead-up to the military strikes.
Turning to Cuba, Trump described the country as “a failing nation” and criticised its leadership for decades of economic hardship.
“The people there have suffered for many, many years, and I think Cuba is going to be something we’ll end up talking about,” he said.
“We want to help the people in Cuba, but we also want to help the people that were forced out of Cuba and are living in this country.”
Speaking alongside the president, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Cuban American, strongly criticised Havana’s role in Venezuela’s affairs.
“Cuba is a disaster. It’s run by incompetent, senile men,” Rubio said, alleging that Cuban operatives played a key role in protecting Maduro.
“One of the biggest problems the Venezuelans have is they have to declare independence from Cuba.”
The developments have intensified diplomatic unease in Latin America, with growing calls for international engagement amid fears of wider regional instability.
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