U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Colombia could be the next target of American military action while asserting that the United States is now “in charge” of Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump lashed out at Colombia’s left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, calling him a “sick man” who “likes making cocaine,” and said Petro should “watch his a**.” Trump’s comments followed Petro’s condemnation of the U.S. strike on Venezuela, which he described as an attack on Latin American sovereignty.
“Colombia is very sick, too,” Trump said. When asked directly whether the U.S. would consider a military operation against the country, he replied, “It sounds good to me.”
Trump’s remarks came as Maduro was due to make his first appearance in federal court in Manhattan after being seized by U.S. forces in Caracas.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez urged restraint, calling for “peace and dialogue, not war,” and said the country seeks “balanced and respectful” relations with Washington.
Maduro’s capture followed a large-scale U.S. operation in Venezuela that has triggered intense regional and international reaction.
