Colombian President Gustavo Petro Threatens Armed Response to U.S. Military Action
BOGOTÁ, Colombia — Colombian President Gustavo Petro issued a stark warning Monday, declaring he would “take up arms” against any U.S. military intervention in his country. The threat follows recent comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested Colombia might be the next target in his administration’s intensified war on drugs.
Petro, a former member of the M-19 guerrilla movement that demobilized in the early 1990s, took to the social media platform X to respond to Trump’s accusations. “Although I have not been a military man, I know about war and clandestinity,” Petro wrote. “I swore not to touch a weapon again since the 1989 Peace Pact, but for the Homeland I will take up arms again that I do not want.”
The Colombian leader also vehemently denied allegations of involvement in drug trafficking made by Trump. “I am not illegitimate, nor am I a narco,” he stated. “I only have as assets my family home that I still pay for with my salary. My bank statements have been published. No one could say that I have spent more than my salary. I am not greedy.”
Trump’s remarks came during a press briefing aboard Air Force One on Sunday, where he described Colombia as “very sick too” and accused Petro of running a government involved in cocaine production and distribution to the United States. “He’s not going to be doing it very long,” Trump said, adding that Colombia has “cocaine mills and cocaine factories.”
When pressed about the possibility of a U.S. military operation in Colombia, Trump responded, “It sounds good to me,” though he quickly shifted the conversation to his interest in annexing Greenland.
This exchange follows a series of aggressive U.S. actions in the region, including the recent capture and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which drew mixed international reactions. The U.S. State Department has emphasized its commitment to combating narcotics trafficking through coordinated efforts with regional partners, as outlined on the U.S. Department of State’s Colombia page.
Colombia remains a critical partner in the fight against drug trafficking, with the Drug Enforcement Administration actively collaborating with Colombian authorities to dismantle narcotics networks. However, the escalating rhetoric threatens to undermine diplomatic relations and regional stability.
Petro’s warning underscores the delicate balance Colombia faces as it navigates domestic political pressures and external threats. His reference to the 1989 Peace Pact recalls Colombia’s hard-won peace process with guerrilla groups, highlighting his personal commitment to peace despite the current tensions.
The Department of Defense has not formally commented on the possibility of military action in Colombia, but the situation remains fluid amid ongoing concerns about drug trafficking routes and regional security.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council is scheduled to discuss the implications of recent U.S. operations in Venezuela and the broader regional impact, including the potential destabilization of neighboring countries like Colombia.
As both leaders exchange increasingly confrontational statements, observers warn that the rhetoric could escalate into a serious geopolitical crisis, with significant consequences for the Western Hemisphere’s security landscape.
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