Colombia, Trump and the drug war
Feb 3, 2026 •
When the US military seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, people in Colombia were left wondering if they were next.
Almost immediately, Donald Trump was accusing Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, of being tied to cocaine trafficking – without providing evidence – and publicly entertaining a US “operation” in the country.
Monica Villamizar, a Colombian-American journalist, says the mood on the streets has been a mix of shock and fear.
Now, following a phone call that temporarily cooled the crisis, Petro is due to meet Trump in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday – a meeting Monica calls a wild card.
Today, Monica Villamizar on the feud between Trump and Petro – and what’s riding on their meeting for Colombia, and the broader Latin American region.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
Colombia, Trump and the drug war
1807 • Feb 3, 2026
Colombia, Trump and the drug war
When the US military seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, people in Colombia were left wondering if they were next.
Almost immediately, Donald Trump was accusing Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, of being tied to cocaine trafficking – without providing evidence – and publicly entertaining a US “operation” in the country.
Monica Villamizar, a Colombian-American journalist, says the mood on the streets has been a mix of shock and fear.
Now, following a phone call that temporarily cooled the crisis, Petro is due to meet Trump in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday – a meeting Monica calls a wild card.
Today, Monica Villamizar on the feud between Trump and Petro – and what’s riding on their meeting for Colombia, and the broader Latin American region.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
Guest: Colombian-American journalist, Monica Villamizar
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7am is a daily show from Solstice Media.
It’s made by Arielle Richards, Atticus Bastow, Chris Dengate, Daniel James, Krystal Keller, Nicole Johnston, Travis Evans and Zoltan Fecso.
Our theme music is by Ned Beckley and Josh Hogan of Envelope Audio.