Donald Trump responded to comments from Colombian President Gustavo Petro following Petro’s criticism of the United States over sanctions related to Venezuelan oil, addressing Petro’s remarks and issuing a warning focused on drug trafficking concerns.

The exchange began when a reporter asked Trump about Petro’s statement suggesting the return of land to Latin America in response to U.S. sanctions.

“So in response to the United States taking sanction oil from from Venezuela. Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized the United States by saying, well, the Southwest has stolen land and that it should be returned to Latin America. I just wanted to know what your response to that,” the reporter said.

Trump replied by accusing Petro of overseeing drug production in Colombia and said the Colombian president posed problems for relations with the United States.

“He has to watch, because, you know, he’s got drug factors. They make cocaine in Colombia, and He’s no friend of the United States,” Trump said.

Trump continued by sharply criticizing Petro personally and tying his comments to cocaine trafficking into the United States.

“He’s very bad, very bad guy, and he’s got to watch his ass, because he makes cocaine and they send it into the United States of America from Colombia,” Trump said.

Trump then distinguished between his view of Colombia’s leadership and his view of the Colombian people.

“We love the Colombian people. I love the Colombian people. They’re great people, energetic, smart, great,” Trump said.

He said his criticism was directed at Colombia’s current leadership and warned of consequences if action is not taken against drug production.

“But their new leader is a troublemaker, and he better watch it,” Trump said.

Trump said Colombia must shut down cocaine production facilities, stating that U.S. officials are aware of their locations.

“They better close up those cocaine factories. They have at least three major cocaine factories. We know where they are. He better close them up fast,” Trump said.

WATCH:

Trump just clapped back at Colombian President Petro, who accused the U.S. of being on “stolen land,” in gangster fashion:

"He's gotta watch his ass because he makes cocaine, and they send it into the U.S…he’s got factories and we know where they are.” pic.twitter.com/U8ZxcK9D8j

— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) December 22, 2025