In a dangerous escalation of diplomatic tensions in the Americas, Colombian President Gustavo Petro vowed on Monday to return to "arms if necessary," in a direct and sharp response to threats from US President Donald Trump. This fiery statement follows the US military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his transfer to the United States for trial.
Return to revolutionary roots
In a widely debated post on the X platform, Petro wrote, “I swore I would never touch a weapon again… but for the sake of the nation, I will take up arms again.” This statement carries profound implications given the Colombian president’s background as a former member of the leftist guerrilla group M-19, before laying down his arms and engaging in peaceful politics, ultimately rising to power as the first leftist president in modern Colombian history.
Analysts point out that Petro's threat to return to arms is not just political rhetoric, but a warning message that Colombian national sovereignty is a red line, especially given fears of a repeat of the Venezuelan scenario in other Latin American countries that oppose American policies.
A war of words and mutual accusations
Petro's response came after Donald Trump launched a scathing attack over the weekend, warning the Colombian president to "be careful," using derogatory terms such as "sick man" and making serious accusations that he "enjoys making cocaine and selling it to the United States." These accusations are reminiscent of Washington's hardline rhetoric toward leftist regimes in Latin America, which often links political leaders to drug cartels to justify foreign intervention.
Political earthquake after Maduro's arrest
These developments come amid a political earthquake shaking the region, marked by the arrival of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in New York to face US charges related to terrorism and drug trafficking. Maduro is scheduled to appear before a federal court today, Monday, for an initial procedural hearing, an unprecedented event in modern international relations, as it involves the arrest and transfer of a sitting head of state to stand trial in another country.
Potential regional repercussions
International observers believe that this escalation between Bogotá and Washington could cast a dark shadow over the stability of the region. Colombia, which for decades was the closest ally of the United States in South America, is undergoing a radical shift in its foreign policy under Petro's leadership. This tension could lead to a coalition of leftist countries in Latin America against what they perceive as renewed "American imperialism," potentially ushering in a new era of political and security instability in the Western Hemisphere.
