“It is declaring war”: Gustavo Petro Raises Tone Against Donald Trump, Sparking Online Uproar
BOGOTÁ, Colombia – Colombian President Gustavo petro sharply escalated his rhetoric against former U.S. President Donald Trump on December 2, 2025, accusing him of initiating a “war” following Trump’s claims labeling Petro a ”boss of drug trafficking.” The exchange, unfolding on social media, marks a new low in the already strained relationship between the two leaders and comes amid escalating U.S. pressure on Colombia’s anti-drug policies.
The escalating tensions stem from recent actions taken by the Trump administration against Petro and members of his government. These include the revocation of Petro’s U.S. visa, decertification of Colombia’s efforts to eradicate coca crops, and the inclusion of Petro, first Lady Verónica Alcocer, son Nicolás Petro, and Interior Minister Armando Benedetti on the Clinton list - effectively a financial blockade. Petro responded to Trump’s accusations wiht a defiant tweet, stating, “cocaine does not reach the United States,” and boasting of having destroyed 18,400 laboratories during his government. He offered to personally show Trump how to dismantle a drug lab, linking to a video: https://t.co/8WOKnclDK7.
Petro further asserted that Colombia has prevented “thousands of tons of cocaine” from reaching North American consumers, accusing Trump of slander.The dispute highlights a long-standing and complex dynamic between the two countries regarding drug trafficking and U.S.policy in Latin America.
The relationship between Petro and Trump deteriorated significantly after the former president publicly accused Petro of being involved in the drug trade. Petro retaliated by calling Trump a “genocidal.” The inclusion of Petro and his associates on the Clinton list, a measure typically reserved for significant drug traffickers, represents a particularly severe escalation.
This action follows the U.S. State Department’s decision to revoke Petro’s visa and the decertification of Colombia regarding its drug eradication efforts,signaling dissatisfaction with the current Colombian government’s approach to combating illicit coca cultivation. The ongoing conflict threatens to destabilize the crucial security and economic partnership between the United States and Colombia,potentially impacting regional stability and counter-narcotics efforts.
