Colombian President Gustavo Petro has issued a stark warning, declaring he is prepared to "take up arms" in defense of his nation. This dramatic statement on Monday comes as a direct response to threats from United States President Donald Trump and a recent US military operation in neighbouring Venezuela.
Escalating War of Words and Military Action
The crisis escalated over the weekend when US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Following this operation, President Trump turned his attention to Colombia's leader. He warned Petro to "watch his a**" and made inflammatory accusations, calling him "a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States".
When questioned by Reuters if the United States would consider a military operation against Colombia, Trump responded, "It sounds good to me." This exchange has sent shockwaves through diplomatic channels.
Petro's Defiant Stance and Warning of 'Popular Jaguar'
In a lengthy post on the social media platform X, the former guerrilla fighter delivered a passionate and defiant rebuttal. Petro, who participated in the 1989 Peace Pact, stated, "I swore not to touch a weapon again... but for the homeland I will take up arms again." He clarified that while he does not seek conflict, he would defend Colombia if necessary.
He vigorously defended his government's anti-narcotics record but cautioned against heavy-handed foreign intervention. Petro warned that aggressive military action based on poor intelligence could kill innocent children and radicalize peasants, turning them into guerrillas.
His most vivid warning concerned the capture of Maduro. "If you detain the president, whom a good part of my people love and respect, you will unleash the popular jaguar," he declared, suggesting it would trigger a massive, uncontrollable popular uprising.
Personal Defence and Call to the Colombian People
The Colombian leader also addressed the personal allegations head-on. He stated he is neither an illegitimate leader nor involved in the narcotics trade. Petro emphasized his modest assets, noting his only property is a family home still being paid for with his presidential salary, and pointed to his publicly available bank records as proof.
Expressing deep faith in his citizens, Petro called on the Colombian people to protect the presidency from any illegitimate or violent actions. He has instructed state security forces not to fire on civilians but to resist any foreign invader. He framed this defence as an assertion of democratic power across all municipalities.
US Position and Venezuela's Shifting Tone
Amid the turmoil, the United States' position appeared to have internal nuances. While President Trump mentioned the US would temporarily "run" Venezuela, Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified on Sunday. He said Washington would not manage the country's daily affairs but would enforce the existing "oil quarantine."
In Venezuela, the newly appointed interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, initially demanded the return of Nicolas Maduro, who denies all drug trafficking links. However, her tone shifted markedly by Sunday evening. In a social media post, she adopted a more conciliatory approach, expressing openness to cooperation with President Trump and calling for "respectful relations" with the United States.
The situation remains highly volatile, with Petro's stark vow to return to arms marking a dangerous new phase in regional tensions. The world now watches to see if the war of words escalates further or if diplomatic channels can be reopened.
