Could Trump Order a Ground Invasion of Colombia? Former Ambassador Weighs In
BOGOTÁ – Amidst escalating tensions between the U.S. and Colombia,questions are surfacing about the possibility of a U.S. ground intervention in Colombia, sparked by recent rhetoric from former President Donald Trump. Following a meeting where announcements regarding Venezuela were anticipated, Trump issued a declaration concerning potential ground attacks, prompting speculation about a message directed at Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Colombia,Kevin Whitaker,offered insight into the situation,suggesting that while a U.S. intervention isn’t aligned with Trump’s typical foreign policy approach, access to Venezuela’s natural resources could provide justification for more sustained U.S.involvement in the region. ”I think this president is also very interested in concrete benefits for the United States,” Whitaker stated. “Venezuela has minerals and it has oil. Perhaps in this way, by seeking access to venezuela’s material wealth, the administration can justify a more lasting involvement in the country.”
Whitaker acknowledged the meaningful obstacles to any intervention, notably the corruption within Venezuela’s military forces, making reliance on them problematic. he also highlighted a dynamic where both Trump and Petro appear to benefit politically from the current dispute. “Petro emerges as the great defender of the continent of the Americas against the ‘northern empire,’ and that gives him the prospect to exercise his ideological roots,” Whitaker explained. “Trump will always react like this. It’s his way of being. And, if he feels attacked, he will react ten times more strongly.”
The exchange occurs within a broader context of strained U.S.-colombia relations, fueled by petro’s leftist policies and his attempts to negotiate with armed groups. While a ground invasion remains unlikely, the possibility underscores the volatile geopolitical landscape in Latin America and the potential for further escalation.
