Colombian president Petro vows to defend sovereignty against US threats

Colombian President Gustavo Petro delivered a strong rebuke on Thursday, accusing the United States of threatening his country under the guise of anti-narcotics operations and vowing to defend national sovereignty. His statements were a direct response to recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed Colombia is "making cocaine" and suggested such nations are "subject to attack."

Petro's Defiant Message to the Military

Addressing military officers, Petro stated, "The order of the Commander-in-Chief is this: We defend our sovereignty at the cost of our lives. Colombia cannot be threatened." He warned that anyone acting on such threats would "awaken the sleeping jaguar within the Colombian people." The president framed the U.S. posture as an insult, criticizing military operations in the Caribbean as humiliating and asserting that Colombians have suffered greatly from the drug war for decades.

Context of US Military Buildup and Trump's Accusations

The verbal clash occurs against a backdrop of significant U.S. military expansion across Latin America in recent months, involving deployments of Marines, warships, and aircraft officially aimed at combating drug trafficking. Trump's specific accusation that Colombia is producing cocaine has escalated tensions, challenging Petro's left-wing government, which has pursued a policy of voluntary coca crop substitution and dismantling production labs.

Petro's Invitation and Counter-Narrative

In his defense, Petro highlighted his government's efforts, inviting Trump to visit Colombia and witness the destruction of drug labs firsthand, claiming authorities eliminate one laboratory every 40 minutes. He rejected the notion that Colombia is not combating trafficking, arguing that his country is being unfairly targeted despite its sacrifices and ongoing anti-narcotics operations. The exchange underscores a deepening diplomatic rift over drug policy and sovereignty between Washington and Bogotá.