Overview
- President Donald Trump accused Colombian President Gustavo Petro of involvement in cocaine production and said the United States would target him, remarks delivered a day after U.S. forces seized Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores.
- Gustavo Petro rejected the narco allegations, said he would take up arms if the United States attacks Colombia, instructed the removal of any commander seen as favoring the U.S. flag, and urged citizens to defend national sovereignty.
- Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio warned Colombia would respond militarily to any breach of sovereignty under its right to self-defense and is set to meet U.S. officials.
- Interior Minister Armando Benedetti and Justice Minister Andrés Idárraga said Colombia will keep coordinating with U.S. intelligence and technology to target drug laboratories, criminal groups, and cross-border routes.
- Presidential candidate Claudia López criticized Trump’s threats and affirmed that Colombians decide their leadership, citing Petro’s electoral mandate.