Trump threatens Colombian president after Maduro's arrest: Details of absolute resolve
In a serious diplomatic escalation following an event that shook the international political scene, US President Donald Trump a strongly worded and direct warning to his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro . This escalating tension came in the wake of the swift US military operation that led to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro , a move that sparked mixed reactions across Latin America.
Trump to Petro: “You need to be careful.”
During a press conference held to comment on the operation's success, Trump launched a scathing attack on the Colombian president, the first leftist leader in modern Colombian history, whose relationship with Washington has been noticeably strained recently. Trump said sharply, "Petro is manufacturing cocaine and sending it to the United States, so he needs to be careful.".
This statement comes in response to Petro's rejection of the American operation, as the Colombian president condemned what he described as an "attack" and "aggression" against Venezuelan sovereignty, calling for emergency meetings of the Organization of American States and the United Nations to discuss the legitimacy of this military action. This position reflects the radical shift in Colombia's foreign policy, which has restored its relations with Caracas after years of estrangement.
Details of Operation Inherent Resolve
For his part, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Keane , revealed detailed information about the operation, codenamed "Operation Inherent Resolve." Keane explained that the arrest of Maduro and his wife was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather required "months of intensive planning and training" to ensure the mission's success without errors.
General Cain noted that the operation was carried out in the dead of night on January 2nd, and was characterized by complete secrecy and meticulous precision. He emphasized the massive scale of the force involved, with "more than 150 aircraft launched from various locations across the Western Hemisphere," demonstrating the extent of American resolve to resolve the Maduro issue.
The context of the conflict and its geopolitical dimensions
To understand the dimensions of this event, one must consider the tense historical background of relations between Washington and Caracas. For years, the United States has imposed crippling economic sanctions on Venezuela, accusing Maduro of human rights abuses and election fraud, in addition to previous indictments by the US Department of Justice for his involvement in “narco-terrorism.” This arrest represents the culmination of US pressure in its own backyard.
On a regional level, Trump's warning to Colombia carries serious implications. Colombia is considered a strategic partner in the region, but the rise of the left under Petro and his attempts to forge closer ties with Venezuela have alarmed the US administration. Observers believe that Trump's direct link between Petro and the cocaine trade could pave the way for a new phase of economic or political pressure on Bogotá, potentially reshaping alliances in Latin America and directly impacting issues of migration and energy security in the region.
