ASIATODAY.ID, BOGOTA – Colombian President Gustavo Petro has issued his strongest warning yet to Washington, vowing to “take up arms” if the United States launches a military attack on Colombia, following a series of incendiary statements by US President Donald Trump after the recent US raid on Venezuela.
Tensions escalated after Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, openly suggested that a US military operation against Colombia was a real possibility. Asked whether Washington could carry out an attack similar to last week’s raid on Venezuela, Trump replied bluntly: “It sounds good to me.”
The remarks came as Trump accused Petro of orchestrating the cocaine trade and hinted that the Colombian leader could be “removed” from power, just days after US forces abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in an operation that reportedly killed at least 80 people, both civilians and military personnel.
Petro: ‘For the Homeland, I Will Take Up Arms Again’
In a post on X on Monday, Petro responded defiantly, saying he would resist any foreign aggression, even if it meant returning to armed struggle.
“Although I have not been a military man, I know about war and clandestinity. I swore not to touch a weapon again since the 1989 Peace Pact, but for the Homeland I will reluctantly take up arms again,” Petro wrote.
Before becoming Colombia’s first left-wing president in 2022, Petro was a member of the M-19 guerrilla movement, which laid down its arms in the late 1980s and entered mainstream politics. His statement marked an extraordinary escalation in rhetoric from a sitting head of state in the Western Hemisphere.
Drug Accusations and Military Threats
Trump has repeatedly labeled Petro a “drug leader” and claimed Colombia is “run by a sick man,” alleging that Bogota fuels cocaine flows into the United States.
Petro has rejected the accusations, arguing that his administration has curbed coca leaf expansion and promoted voluntary crop substitution among farmers.
“I stopped the growth of coca leaf crops and began a great voluntary substitution plan by coca-growing peasants,” Petro said, adding that Colombia’s operations against drug cartels require “surgical precision” to avoid civilian casualties that could strengthen insurgent groups.
Following Trump’s comments, Petro said he demanded the resignation of any Colombian military officer “who prefers the flag of the US to the flag of Colombia,” signaling deep concern over sovereignty and loyalty within the armed forces.
Regional Fallout After Venezuela Raid
The standoff unfolds amid widespread outrage over Washington’s unprecedented military operation in Venezuela, which the Trump administration claims was necessary to bring Maduro to trial on drug trafficking charges. Caracas has denounced the raid as an act of aggression and a pretext for regime change.
The operation has drawn condemnation across the Global South. China called Maduro’s abduction a violation of international law, while Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, and Spain issued a joint statement warning that the US action sets “an extremely dangerous precedent” for regional security.
Moscow has also condemned what it described as US “armed aggression” against Venezuela and demanded the release of Maduro and his wife.
Monroe Doctrine Revival?
Trump has justified the Venezuela raid by invoking the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, asserting that Latin America falls within Washington’s sphere of influence and claiming the US is now “in charge” of Venezuela.
He warned that further military action could follow if countries in the region “don’t behave.”
Beyond Colombia and Venezuela, Trump has also threatened Cuba, saying the island “is ready to fall,” and hinted at possible military intervention in Mexico over drug trafficking.
As rhetoric hardens on both sides, Latin America faces one of its most dangerous moments in decades, with fears growing that US interventionism and regional resistance could spiral into a wider conflict. (RT)
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