Trump Warns Drug-Producing Countries Could Face U.S. Strikes; Colombia’s Petro Fires Back

President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric on drug trafficking Tuesday, warning that any nation involved in sending illegal narcotics into the United States could be targeted with military strikes.

“Anybody that’s doing that and selling it into our country is subject to attack,” Trump said during a cabinet meeting at the White House, after citing concerns about cocaine shipments originating from Colombia.

The comments prompted a swift rebuke from Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who argued that Colombia is already engaged in an aggressive domestic crackdown. In a post on X, Petro said the country destroys a drug-producing laboratory every 40 minutes — “without missiles.”

Growing Tensions in the Region

The Trump administration has intensified its campaign against alleged drug-trafficking operations in the Caribbean and Pacific, conducting targeted missile strikes against suspected smuggling vessels in recent months. U.S. forces have also expanded their presence across the Caribbean as tensions rise between Washington and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whose country borders Colombia.

U.S. officials accuse Maduro of playing a central role in facilitating drug flows that contribute to overdose deaths in the United States — a charge the Venezuelan leader repeatedly denies. Trump has recently suggested that U.S. military intervention in Venezuela is on the table.

On Tuesday, he expanded the scope of potential U.S. action, saying strikes could apply broadly.

“It’s not just Venezuela,” Trump said. “I hear the country of Colombia is making cocaine, they have cocaine manufacturing plants, and then they sell us their cocaine.”

Petro Warns Against Threats to Sovereignty

Petro — who is personally sanctioned by the Trump administration — responded by inviting Trump to participate in Colombia’s anti-drug operations, but cautioned that threats against the nation’s autonomy would not be tolerated.

“Do not threaten our sovereignty, or you will awake the Jaguar,” Petro wrote. “Attacking our sovereignty is declaring war.”

The exchange underscores the widening diplomatic rift between Washington and key South American governments as U.S. policy in the region becomes increasingly militarized.