Bogota, 5/1 : Colombian President Gustavo Petro declared on Monday that he is prepared to “take up arms” to defend his nation’s sovereignty, following recent threats and accusations from former U.S. President Donald Trump. This statement comes amidst escalating tensions and a reported U.S. military strike in neighboring Venezuela over the weekend.
Mr. Trump, who recently re-entered the political discourse with strong rhetoric, reportedly stated over the weekend that President Petro should “watch his ass,” describing Colombia’s first-ever leftist leader as “a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.” These comments were part of broader threats of military action against any country he believes is involved in producing illegal drugs destined for the U.S. Trump further accused Mr. Petro, without providing evidence, of involvement in drug trafficking and imposed financial sanctions on him and his family. The U.S. also removed Colombia from its list of certified allies in the war on drugs.
The provocative statements from Mr. Trump followed a reported U.S. military operation on Saturday, January 3, 2026, where forces allegedly conducted a raid on Caracas, Venezuela, to seize President Nicolas Maduro. This action intensified regional instability and drew sharp criticism from President Petro, who has been a vocal opponent of U.S. military deployments in the Caribbean, particularly those related to drug interdiction and the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers.
President Petro, a former M-19 urban guerrilla group member who disarmed under a 1989 peace agreement, conveyed his strong resolve on the social media platform X. He stated, “I swore not to touch a weapon again… but for the homeland I will take up arms again.” He also warned against actions that could “wake the popular jaguar,” implying a strong nationalistic response if Colombia’s sovereignty were violated or its president detained. Colombia’s Foreign Ministry echoed these sentiments, calling Trump’s threats “unacceptable interference” and demanding respect for the nation’s independence.
The ongoing exchange highlights a significant strain in the historically allied relations between Colombia and the United States, particularly since Mr. Trump’s hypothetical return to the political stage. The accusations and threats from Washington, especially concerning drug policy and military intervention, have ignited a strong defensive stance from the Colombian leadership, emphasizing the limits of foreign aggression.
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