“Breaking: Petro to Defend Colombia by Force If Necessary — After Trump Signals Next Target”

JUST IN….Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he would “take up arms” against the U.S. if it attacks his country after President Trump suggested Colombia could be the next target in his administration’s war on drugs.

Colombia’s Petro promises to defend homeland amid Trump threats | Conflict News | Al Jazeera
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Colombian President Petro threatens military response after Trump warns Colombia may be next target
Today
JUST IN: Colombian President Gustavo Petro Says He Would “Take Up Arms” Against U.S. if Attacked After Trump Hints at Military Action
In an extraordinary escalation of tensions between Bogotá and Washington, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has publicly stated he would “take up arms” to defend his nation if the United States were to launch a military attack, responding to recent rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump that suggested Colombia could be a next target in Washington’s intensifying war on drugs.
Firstpost

Petro, a former guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago under a peace agreement, made the declaration on social media platform X on Monday. “I swore not to touch a weapon again… but for the homeland I will take up arms again,” he wrote, underscoring what he portrayed as a sharp threat to Colombian sovereignty.
Firstpost

The comment comes amid a bitter exchange of insults and accusations between the two leaders, following a dramatic U.S. military operation in Venezuela last weekend that resulted in the capture and removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces — a move that has reverberated across the region.
CBS News

Trump has openly criticized Petro’s government, accusing Colombia’s first left-wing administration of failing to control drug production and of being complicit in dealing cocaine to the U.S. — claims Petro vehemently denies and says are politically motivated attacks. Trump also told reporters that military action against Colombia “sounds good to me” when pressed on whether the U.S. could expand its anti-narcotics operations beyond Venezuela.
The New Indian Express

In response, Petro not only rejected Trump’s characterization of Colombia’s drug challenges but defended his administration’s record on anti-narcotics, citing major seizures and reforms, while condemning U.S. military actions as violations of international law. He also warned that any foreign assault would risk widespread resistance from the Colombian people, invoking imagery of awakening the nation’s “jaguar.”
News24

The Colombian government’s foreign ministry has decried the comments from Washington as “unacceptable interference” in internal affairs, demanding respect for the country’s sovereignty and calling for diplomatic caution after weeks of deteriorating relations.
The New Indian Express

This exchange marks one of the most serious public rifts between the United States and Colombia in decades — a relationship historically anchored in partnership against drug trafficking but now roiled by unprecedented threats and counter-threats. International observers warn that any misstep could have far-reaching consequences not only for bilateral ties but for regional stability across Latin America.

If you’d like, I can also provide analysis on what this means for Colombia’s foreign policy and regional security, or a timeline of how tensions have escalated between Petro and Trump — just let me know!

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JUST IN….Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he would “take up arms” against the U.S. if it attacks his country after President Trump suggested Colombia could be the next target in his administration’s war on drugs.

WAR OF WORDS: Petro Pushes Back After U.S. Drug War Rhetoric

A sharp exchange of rhetoric has emerged between Bogotá and Washington after Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned he would “take up arms” to defend his country if the United States were to attack it, following comments attributed to former U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting Colombia could be a future target in an expanded war on drugs.

Petro’s remarks, delivered during a public address and later echoed by senior members of his government, were framed as a declaration of sovereignty rather than a call to conflict. Colombian officials emphasized that the president was responding to what they described as aggressive language from U.S. political figures, and that Colombia remains committed to diplomatic engagement.

The controversy was sparked after Trump, while outlining a hardline anti-narcotics agenda, reportedly pointed to Colombia as a potential focus of tougher U.S. action against drug trafficking networks. While no concrete policy proposals or military plans were announced, the comments reverberated across Latin America, where U.S.-led drug enforcement efforts have long been a sensitive issue.

Petro, a former guerrilla fighter turned leftist reformer, has consistently criticized the decades-old U.S.-backed “war on drugs,” arguing that it has failed to curb narcotics flows while fueling violence and social instability. His administration has instead promoted alternative strategies, including rural development, crop substitution, and treating drug use as a public health issue rather than a purely criminal one.

In Washington, analysts and former officials downplayed the likelihood of any direct confrontation, noting that U.S.–Colombia relations are anchored by trade, security cooperation, and longstanding diplomatic ties. Colombia remains a key U.S. ally in the region, and both governments have continued routine cooperation on counter-narcotics and security matters.

Still, the exchange underscores deeper tensions over how drug trafficking should be addressed and who bears responsibility for its consequences. For Petro, the rhetoric serves to rally domestic support and signal independence from U.S. pressure. For Trump and his supporters, it reflects a campaign-style emphasis on toughness and unilateral action.

As of now, there is no indication of imminent policy changes or military action from either side. But the episode highlights how charged language can quickly escalate diplomatic strains—especially in a region where the legacy