“Watch His Ass”: Trump Warns Colombia’s President After Capturing Venezuela’s Maduro

Tensions in northern South America surged on Saturday after the United States carried out a surprise military operation in Venezuela and took President Nicolas Maduro into custody.

The action triggered sharp reactions from regional leaders and drew a blunt warning from US President Donald Trump directed at Colombia's leadership.

Trump's blunt warning to Colombia

Speaking to reporters hours after the operation, Donald Trump issued a direct message to Colombian President Gustavo Petro, saying he should "watch his ass." Trump accused Petro of links to drug trafficking, adding, "He's making cocaine and they're sending it into the United States, so he does have to watch his ass."

The remark followed weeks of friction between Washington and Bogota, with Trump framing the warning as part of a tougher regional security stance after the Venezuela operation.

Overnight operation seizes Maduro

The United States confirmed that special forces carried out an overnight mission inside Venezuela, capturing long-serving leader Nicolas Maduro and flying him out of the country. Trump later said Washington would temporarily assume control to manage a transition.

"We will run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition," Trump said during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Petro condemns US action, warns of refugee surge

President Petro strongly criticised the US move, calling it an "assault on the sovereignty" of Latin America that could spark a humanitarian crisis. In a post on X, he said Colombia convened an emergency national security meeting before dawn and deployed additional forces along the Colombia-Venezuela border.

Petro warned of a possible "massive influx of refugees" fleeing Venezuela and said Bogota would seek international intervention. He urged the United Nations Security Council to address what he described as "the aggression against the sovereignty of Venezuela and of Latin America."

UN Security Council meeting and global reaction

The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet on Monday at 10:00 am local time to discuss the US operation, according to diplomatic sources. The emergency session was requested by Venezuela and relayed by Colombia.

Condemnation also came from Maduro's allies. Russia criticised the operation, with its foreign ministry describing it as an "act of armed aggression" and warning against further escalation.

Strikes reported across Venezuela

The Venezuelan government said US attacks were reported in several areas, including Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira. Videos circulating on social media, which could not be independently verified, appeared to show explosions in the capital. One clip claimed to show large blasts at Higuerote Airport, roughly 87 kilometres east of Caracas.

Trump said US forces disrupted electricity in parts of the capital during the operation and captured Maduro and his wife in or near one of his safe houses.