Colombian president asserts authority, rejects US criticism amid Venezuela raid

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has issued a robust defense of his administration, rejecting recent remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and asserting his constitutional authority as commander-in-chief. The statement comes in the wake of a US military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, underscoring rising regional tensions.

Rebuttal of US Accusations and Anti-Narcotics Record

In a detailed social media post, Petro dismissed what he called erroneous claims that Colombian authorities were cooperating with the US independently of his office. He emphasized that under Colombia's 1991 Constitution, the president is the supreme commander of the armed forces and police. Defending his anti-narcotics policy, Petro highlighted what he described as the largest cocaine seizure in history under his watch, a halt in coca cultivation expansion, and a voluntary crop substitution program covering 30,000 hectares. He also noted military successes in areas like Plateado in Cauca department, which he termed "the Wall Street of cocaine."

Warnings Against Interference and Defense of Sovereignty

Petro linked critical narratives to Colombian political interests tied to organized crime, accusing them of seeking to rupture US-Colombia relations to boost cocaine trafficking globally. He warned against any foreign attempts to detain him, stating it would "unleash the popular jaguar," and asserted that any security force commander preferring the US flag over Colombia's would be removed. While reiterating his commitment to peace, Petro declared he would take up arms to defend the homeland if necessary, rejecting allegations about his legitimacy or ties to narcotics.