7am Colombia, Trump and the drug war
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Feb 2, 2026 Monica Villamizar, a Colombian-American journalist covering Latin American politics, migration and the drug trade, unpacks the Trump–Petro clash. She walks through the rhetoric that raised fears of US action in Colombia. Conversations cover Colombia’s cocaine economy, mass protests, and what each leader stands to gain from a Washington meeting.
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Fear After Maduro's Extraction
- Monica Villamizar recalled being in Bogotá when Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro was seized and people wondered if Colombia would be next.
- She described the moment as surreal and said people were stunned and fearful on the streets.
Diplomacy Soured By Deportations And Sanctions
- The feud began over deportations and public insults, not verified criminal evidence against Gustavo Petro.
- Trump escalated tensions by threatening tariffs and putting Petro on a sanctions list that restricts financial transactions.
Phone Call Calmed Street Tensions
- Massive protests erupted in Colombia after the Maduro incident and Petro's call for rallies heightened fears of U.S. action.
- Monica said Petro had just spoken to Trump by phone and that the call smoothed tensions before the protests.