White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Thursday, October 23, that the United States sees no signs of de-escalation of tensions with Colombia by the government of President Gustavo Petro, whom she called"unhinged."
In a press conference held in recent hours, Leavitt was questioned about the steps the Colombian government could take to de-escalate the current tense situation.
However, the spokesperson responded:"I don't think we're seeing a de-escalation by Colombia's unhinged leader at this point."
Leavitt added that he"frankly" doesn't believe "President Trump is interested" in de-escalating the situation. He also mentioned that the Republican leader had already addressed the issue of Colombia on Wednesday and that he would not comment further on the matter.
In recent days, President Donald Trump and Gustavo Petro have entered into a war of words that has Washington and Bogotá in a serious crisis.
🚨 “We haven’t seen a de-escalation by Colombia’s unhinged leader,” @PressSec tells us when we ask if a de-escalation is possible to solve the crisis between Colombia and the US — “I don’t think President Trump is interested in that [de-escalation].” — Juan Camilo Merlano (@JuanCMerlano) October 23, 2025
Over the weekend, Trump accused President Petro of being a"drug kingpin" and a "thug." And on Wednesday, the Republican president continued the discussion by claiming that the Colombian president is a"thug and a bad guy" and accusing him of manufacturing "a lot of drugs."
Trump also confirmed the suspension of aid to Colombia.
"He's done a lot of damage to his country. They're doing very badly. They have cocaine factories. They grow all kinds of crap, and the bad drugs that come into the United States usually go through Mexico," Trump said.
And he added:"(Petro) better be careful or we will take very serious measures against him and his country. He has led his country into a death trap."
In Washington, there has even been talk of including President Petro and his family on the so-called Clinton List, which includes individuals and companies accused of having ties to drug trafficking or money laundering.
This is how President Gustavo Petro responded to the crisis with Donald Trump.
Petro, for his part, responded this Wednesday that he will defend himself before the United States Justice Department against the"slander" he has received from high-ranking officials in that country.
He also stated that Colombia is willing to fight drug trafficking alongside those who request assistance, but indicated that it will always be"against genocide and assassinations by those in power in the Caribbean."
He said this in reference to the nine attacks on vessels allegedly loaded with drugs launched by Washington in the region, which have left more than 30 people dead, including some Colombians.
"When they need our help to fight drug trafficking, American society will have it. We will fight drug traffickers with the states that want our help," he wrote in X.
The Colombian president also addressed the current situation with Trump during a press conference held Thursday with international media, asserting that the Republican has slandered him and insulted our country.
"There is a disproportionate use of force that is punishable by international humanitarian law," he insisted.
Rejecting the military deployment near the Venezuelan coast, Petro added:"The Caribbean Sea is crisscrossed by warships, naval aircraft, and missiles. (...) Even a fisherman from Santa Marta was killed in his boat."
