Colombian President Gustavo Petro has sparked controversy with his comments about US President Donald Trump, suggesting the US leader could be replaced if necessary to achieve better diplomatic results.
During an interview with Univision’s Daniel Coronel, Petro said, according to The New York Post, “Humanity’s first offramp is to decide to change Trump in different ways. The easiest way may be through Trump himself. If not – get rid of Trump.”
Petro refines the comments
After the interview, Petro took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify that he was not issuing a threat. “I didn’t threaten Trump, I just said that Trump should have a change of heart, from advocating policies of death in the world, like the genocide in Palestine, to policies of life,” he wrote.
He added: “If there is no such change, then the American people will change Trump themselves, because you cannot go to general suicide.
He further emphasized the democratic principle and stated, “In the 21st century, some believe they can become kings and viceroys, but in republics this is not possible. Here, kings’ heads are cut off if they come with a royal attitude.”
Controversy over US strikes on alleged drug boats
The tension between the two leaders stems from the September 15 US strike on an alleged drug ship in Colombian waters. Trump defended the attack by targeting “confirmed narco-terrorists from Venezuela” operating in international waters.
However, Petro insisted that the boat was Colombian and used for fishing, and argued that US forces had violated Colombian sovereignty. “US government officials committed murder and violated our sovereignty in territorial waters. The Colombian ship was adrift and had a distress signal due to engine failure. We await an explanation from the US government,” he said on X.
Trump criticizes Peter
On Sunday, Trump attacked Peter, calling him “a very unpopular leader with a mouthy mouth on America” and calling him an “illegal drug lord who strongly supports massive drug production.”
The US president has authorized at least seven known strikes against alleged drug vessels in the region, mostly targeting vessels linked to Venezuela.
