President Donald Trump suggested on Sunday that Colombian President Gustavo Petro could soon be the focus of U.S. action, following the recent operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, who is now scheduled to face trial in the United States, Baltimore Chronicle. Speaking to reporters, Trump characterized Colombia as “very sick” and described Petro as a “sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States,” adding that his actions would not continue for much longer. When asked directly whether the United States might launch a military operation in Colombia, Trump responded, “It sounds good to me.”
Earlier on Sunday, President Petro released a statement rejecting Trump’s claims, asserting, “I deeply reject Trump speaking without knowing; my name does not appear in the judicial files on drug trafficking over 50 years, neither from before nor from the present.” He further emphasized that Trump’s threats were inappropriate, given his role as a Latin American president who emerged from armed struggle and later from the people’s movement for peace in Colombia.
Trump also made remarks about Cuba, implying that the island’s government, long an ally of Maduro, was now vulnerable. He attributed the survival of Havana’s regime to Venezuelan financial support, which he said would no longer be available following Maduro’s removal. The president referenced casualties among Cuban nationals during the Venezuelan operation, stating that at least 32 Cubans had died while attempting to protect Maduro.
“Cuba looks like it’s ready to fall,” Trump said, adding that without Venezuelan oil revenue, the country’s economic resources were effectively cut off. He also noted that many Cuban Americans would be pleased by these developments. Asked whether the U.S. would intervene directly in Cuba, Trump suggested that action was unnecessary, as he believed the Cuban government was already destabilizing.
In Venezuela, the Supreme Court appointed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as interim president, condemning the U.S. capture of Maduro as a “kidnapping.” Rodriguez has demanded Maduro’s return and pledged to defend Venezuela against foreign aggression. She also called for collaboration with the United States on shared development initiatives that align with international law to foster community coexistence.
Speaking to reporters, Trump reaffirmed that the U.S. was “in charge” of Venezuela and indicated that further measures could be taken if Rodriguez did not comply with his demands. He specified that his goal was to secure “total access” to Venezuela’s oil reserves. When asked whether he had contacted Rodriguez directly, Trump said he had not but would do so “at the right time.”
Earlier we wrote about US Directs Venezuela Situation Following Maduro’s Arrest, Rubio Confirms.
