Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart slammed Colombian President Gustavo Petro over his repeated criticism of the U.S. and the Trump administration. In a social media publication, the lawmaker claimed that Petro is "doing all he can to destroy relations" between the countries.
Speaking to NTN 24, Diaz-Balart recalled that Petro took part in a protest while attending the United Nations General Assembly and "called for the armed forces to not follow the president's orders."
Como he reiterado en numerosas ocasiones, el presidente Petro está haciendo todo lo posible para destruir la relación entre Estados Unidos y Colombia. https://t.co/6kMV9NLVZm
— Mario Díaz-Balart (@MarioDB) October 21, 2025
"He did it here, as a guest. He has continued those insults at the U.S. At the same time, he wants to keep getting funds. He is destroying this special relationship. He has to determine whether he wants to keep it, but it's clear he doesn't. He is doing all he can to destroy it, it's a shame," he claimed.
Diaz-Balart went on to cite reports claiming that Petro has "serious addiction problems." "It has been reported by the press. I don't know if this destructive attitude is a result of his addictions or ideology," he added.
Petro has not given any indication of de-escalating tensions with the Trump administration. On Tuesday he said Trump has to "change his heart" or risk losing future elections.
Petro made the claim in an interview with Univision, prompting claims by detractors that he was threatening to "overthrow" Trump. One of them was Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez, who claimed that "Petro's threats must be taken seriously." "He is a genuine threat to the safety & security of our hemisphere," Gimenez added in a social media publication.
Petro responded, saying he was not "threatening" Trump. "I'm only saying that Trump must change his heart, going from defending policies of death in the world like the Palestinian genocide, for policies of life. If that change doesn't take place, then the American people will change Trump, because one can't go towards general suicide," he added.
Petro further slammed Trump in another passage of the interview as their clashes escalate during Washington's military deployment in the Caribbean. He claimed that "the U.S. doesn't care about us at all, and they show it with their words."
"They treat us rudely and lie about us because they think we have to obey them. Trump said we're out of control. Out of his control! He is not a king in Colombia, we don't accept kings. He can speak with me as an equal. Giving me orders? No sir," Petro added.
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