Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned on Monday that he would take up arms again if his country faces direct aggression from the United States, following Washington’s seizure of Venezuela’s leader after a military strike. Speaking on X, Petro said mounting threats from US President Donald Trump left him with little choice but to defend Colombia’s sovereignty.
Petro, a former member of the M-19 guerrilla movement that laid down arms under a 1989 peace accord, said he had sworn never to use weapons again. However, he added that defending the homeland could force him to reverse that pledge. Meanwhile, tensions have intensified since Trump returned to the White House in January, reviving a personal and political feud with the Colombian leader.
Petro has repeatedly criticised the expanding US military deployment in the Caribbean. Initially, the operation targeted suspected drug-smuggling boats, but it later widened to include the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers. In response, Trump accused Petro, without evidence, of involvement in drug trafficking and imposed financial sanctions on him and his family. Washington also removed Colombia from its list of certified allies in the US-led war on drugs.
Regional tensions rise after Trump’s remarks
In a lengthy online statement, Petro defended Colombia’s anti-narcotics strategy, arguing it balances enforcement with civilian protection. He warned that indiscriminate bombing could kill children, radicalise rural communities, and fuel insurgency. Furthermore, he cautioned that detaining popular leaders would provoke mass resistance.
At the same time, the Trump administration has aligned closely with Colombia’s right-wing opposition, which hopes to win this year’s legislative and presidential elections. Over the weekend, Trump derided Petro and threatened further strikes on Venezuela, while also suggesting military action against Colombia. He later claimed US authority over regional affairs after the raid that transferred Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to New York to face drug-trafficking charges.
