Trump has already targeted Colombia: how are Colombians experiencing this?

Cúcuta (Colombia)The Colombian city of Cúcuta is an oasis of calm, detached from the geopolitical map that exists outside. While several paramilitary groups risk everything in the surrounding area, the town center turns its back on the sounds of the mountains. Therefore, the echo coming from Washington—with the threat of expanding Pentagon operations in Colombia—has little impact on the lives of the Colombians who live in this town on the border with Venezuela. They don't hide their fear, but for now, they also don't seem willing to consider a hypothetical operation in certain border positions.

For Trump, "it would sound good," He said on Sunday, referring to a military operation in the country"Colombia is also very sick, led by a sick man who likes to produce cocaine and sell it in the United States, and he won't be able to do so for much longer," the US president told reporters on Air Force One, referring to Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Bogotá's response came quickly. Petro, one of the most vocal critics on the world stage of the US operation in Venezuela, seemed to mock Trump this week, saying in a statement: "Come and get me. I'm waiting for you." Petro, a leader who is known for his unrestrained verbal attacks against other countries, has his days numbered in the Casa de Nariño (the presidential palace). With elections scheduled for this year, in which he is not running, the left is urging him to exercise restraint in his rhetoric directed at Washington. Meanwhile, much of the right wing—directly—condemns him and supports Trump's actions: "The United States bombed the military bases and strategic assets that a tyrant used to hold Venezuela hostage. And thus opened an opportunity for a free Venezuela. Perhaps it is that same perverse logic that Gustavo uses to liberate the Colombian populations attacked and bombed by the armed groups with whom only he negotiates," said Paloma Valencia, presidential candidate for the opposition party Democratic Center.

Aware that upsetting the fragile balance in one of the most hostile regions in the world could be costly, Petro made it clear: "If you bomb even one of those groups without sufficient intelligence, you will kill many children. If you bomb farmers, thousands of guerrillas will return to the mountains. You will unleash the people's jaguar."

A hornets' nest

For many, removing the border between Colombia and Venezuela through military intervention is playing with fire. International analyst and university professor Gabriel Orozco acknowledges this, warning that it would lead to greater fragmentation of armed groups, increased territorial instability, and further displacement. Areas like Catatumbo would erupt once again, in a region where last year the battle between the ELN and FARC dissidents killed dozens and displaced thousands. If a US operation were to take place, the analyst warns, "there would be more conflict and more exile." This has already prompted authorities in Cúcuta to increase alerts and surveillance. "But ultimately, military action would lead to increased instability and, therefore, more problems for the area," he explained to ARA.

Regarding the political plan, he believes the United States will try to influence the 2026 Colombian elections to prevent the rise of governments they consider hostile, although he rules out direct military intervention to change the ruling party. This pressure could manifest as open support for a candidate, as happened a few weeks ago in Honduras: Trump endorsed the far-right candidacy of Nasry Asfura. After weeks of scrutiny and opaque decisions, he was declared the winner.

But there are others. Cuba, Nicaragua Greenland has also been named by Trump as a possible future "target" of the Washington administration. "It should serve as a warning to anyone who threatens the sovereignty of the United States or endangers American lives," Trump said hours after the operation in Venezuela. Belligerence across the entire American continent to once again apply the Monroe Doctrine, which targets any country in the region that disobeys Washington's instructions. "We'll call it the Donroe Doctrine, after the 'D' in Donald," he even admitted. And, incidentally, to keep an entire continent under control without interference from Europe or Asia.