Maduro appeals to Colombian military for 'perfect union' against US threats

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has issued a direct appeal to Colombia's military, urging a strategic "perfect union" between the two neighboring nations to counter what he describes as an imminent threat of foreign intervention. The call comes amid a severe escalation in tensions with the United States, including a massive US naval deployment encircling Venezuela.

An urgent call for regional solidarity

Speaking on Wednesday, Maduro framed regional military cooperation as the cornerstone of sovereignty. "I make my call to the people of Colombia, to its social movements, and to the Colombian military, whom I know very well," Maduro stated. "I call upon them for a perfect union with Venezuela so that no one dares touch the sovereignty of our countries." He positioned this alliance as the "greatest guarantee" of peace, seeking to directly engage a key neighbor that has historically had fraught relations with Caracas but is now under a left-leaning government.

Response to Trump's 'colonialist' accusations and naval blockade

Maduro's appeal is a direct response to increasingly aggressive statements from Washington. He accused US President Donald Trump of revealing "true motives" by claiming Venezuela had stolen American "oil, land, and other assets." Maduro dismissed this as "warmongering and colonialist pretense" designed to justify regime change. His remarks followed Trump's social media post boasting that Venezuela is "completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the history of South America," threatening an even greater "shock" unless assets are returned.

Regional implications and international law

The escalating crisis risks destabilizing the entire northern South American region. Maduro's attempt to rally Colombian military solidarity is a high-stakes diplomatic maneuver, testing Bogotá's position. The situation is closely watched by nations globally that prioritize the principles of sovereignty and non-intervention. Countries like Türkiye, which advocates for peaceful resolution of disputes and opposes unilateral coercive measures, view such escalations with concern, emphasizing the need for dialogue and respect for international law to prevent a wider conflict.