In a dramatic escalation of US military involvement in Latin America, President Donald Trump has issued a blunt warning to Colombian President Gustavo Petro, telling him to "watch his a**" in the aftermath of the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The warning came during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on January 4, 2026, where Trump detailed the successful extraction of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from Caracas to a prison in New York.
Operation Absolute Resolve and a Stark Warning
Addressing reporters after the launch of 'Operation Absolute Resolve', Trump directly accused the Colombian president of enabling the cocaine trade that fuels drug flows into the United States. "He’s making cocaine and they’re sending it into the United States, so he does have to watch his a**," Trump stated. This confrontation marks a significant downturn in US-Colombia relations, as Petro has been a vocal critic of Trump's military deployments in the Caribbean aimed at countering drug trafficking.
The operation culminated in the capture of Nicolas Maduro, whom US forces transported out of Venezuela. Trump announced that the United States would now temporarily administer the crisis-stricken nation. "We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition," he declared, adding that Washington was prepared to launch an even larger attack if necessary.
Regional Backlash and Sovereignty Concerns
President Gustavo Petro of Colombia responded swiftly, condemning Washington's actions without explicitly naming Maduro. He characterized the US intervention as a severe assault on Latin American sovereignty and warned of an impending humanitarian crisis. "The Government of the Republic of Colombia views with deep concern the reports of explosions and unusual air activity in recent hours in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, as well as the resulting escalation of tension in the region," Petro said in an official statement.
Petro has consistently opposed Trump's strategy, which has included threats of strikes on drug laboratories within Colombian territory—a move the Colombian leader has labeled a threat of invasion. This tension forms the backdrop to Trump's latest incendiary remarks.
US Plans for Venezuela's Future and Resources
Outlining his vision for Venezuela's immediate future, President Trump made it clear that American interests, particularly energy security, were paramount. He highlighted Venezuela's vast oil reserves, stating, "We have tremendous energy in that country. It’s very important that we protect it. We need that for ourselves."
His plan involves sending American oil companies to repair and manage Venezuela's crippled oil infrastructure to generate revenue, all while maintaining the existing embargo on Venezuelan oil. Trump also commented on the country's internal politics, expressing confidence in Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and casting doubt on the domestic support for opposition figure Maria Corina Machado.
These events are the culmination of weeks of threats from Trump, who had vowed to instigate regime change in Venezuela to stem the flow of illegal drugs and immigrants. The operation follows his recent designation of illicit fentanyl and its precursor chemicals as weapons of mass destruction (WMD), a move that coincided with a bolstered US military presence in the Caribbean Sea.
As the American armada remains positioned in the region, Trump has asserted that all military options remain on the table until US demands are fully met, signaling that the volatile situation in Latin America is far from resolved.
