Trump Endorses "Operation Colombia," Signals Imminent Move Against Petro

President Donald Trump explicitly endorsed an "Operation Colombia" on Monday, asserting that President Gustavo Petro "won't be doing it very long." The remarks, delivered just 48 hours after the U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, indicate the administration is pivoting its regime-change focus directly toward Bogotá.

Why It Matters The President’s comment that "Operation Colombia sounds good to me" is a distinct signal that the tactical playbook used in Venezuela on Jan. 3—a kinetic raid resulting in the extraction of a foreign head of state—is now being considered for Colombia. This rhetoric escalates the risk profile beyond economic sanctions or decertification, placing the prospect of U.S. military involvement squarely on the immediate horizon.

The "Sick Man" Narrative Trump’s characterization of Petro as a "sick man" who will soon be out of power suggests Washington intends to facilitate a premature end to Petro's presidency, currently scheduled to end in August 2026. This aligns with a rapid intensification of White House accusations over the last week, including Trump’s claim that Petro personally operates "cocaine mills."

Domestic Vulnerability The external threat exacerbates a fragile internal situation. Petro is navigating severe headwinds, including stalled healthcare reforms and plummeting approval ratings. By publicly predicting Petro’s ouster, the White House is effectively stripping the Colombian government of political legitimacy and signaling to opposition forces—and potentially factions within the Colombian military—that Washington would support a transition of power.

Risk Shift This marks a historic rupture in U.S.-Colombia relations. While Bogotá has traditionally been Washington's primary security partner in the region, the administration has now categorized Petro's government alongside the Maduro regime. With the "Operation Colombia" remark, the probability of U.S. kinetic engagement on Colombian soil—whether via airstrikes or special operations—has spiked significantly.