Image: from Quds News Network X@QudsNen
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has urged nationwide mobilization and public demonstrations in response to statements by U.S. President Donald Trump that Bogotá interpreted as threats of intervention and criticism of his government, deepening diplomatic tension between the two nations.
In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Petro called on Colombians to “defend sovereignty” with rallies scheduled Wednesday afternoon across major cities, including Bogotá’s Plaza de Bolívar, Medellín, Cali, and Cartagena. Supporters and officials from Petro’s administration echoed the appeal, emphasizing peaceful protests and national unity.
The escalation follows incendiary remarks attributed to Trump, who over the weekend described Colombia as “very sick” and accused Petro’s government of links to drug production, allegations Petro has forcefully rejected. Trump also suggested that a military operation against Colombia “sounds good,” similar to the U.S. intervention that led to the capture of neighboring Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, earlier this month.
🚨HOLY COW: Colombian President Gustavo Petro just went after Trump:
“A clan of pedophiles wants to destroy our democracy. To keep Epstein's list from coming out, they send warships to kill fishermen & threaten our neighbor with invasion for their oil."
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) January 4, 2026
Petro responded by framing the dispute as a defense of Colombia’s sovereignty, rejecting accusations of criminal activity and asserting the legitimacy of his democratic mandate. He also invoked his personal commitment to national defense, saying that although he had sworn off weapons after past conflicts, he would do so again if necessary to protect the nation.
The government’s foreign ministry released a statement rejecting what it called “unacceptable interference in matters of sovereignty and bilateral relations,” and Colombian officials, including Vice President Francia Márquez, characterized Trump’s remarks as threats that demand a unified civic response.
The backdrop to the tensions includes recent U.S. military actions in the Caribbean and Latin America, which Trump has tied to counter-narcotics objectives but which critics, including United Nations officials, have described as violations of international law.
Regional and domestic reactions reflect deep unease over the prospect of heightened military intervention. Colombians have mobilized in public squares and across social media, with Petro encouraging citizens to fly the national flag and maintain peaceful demonstrations.
The standoff also highlights broader geopolitical strains in Latin America after the U.S.-led operation in Venezuela, complicating Washington’s ties with a country that has historically been a key partner in anti-drug cooperation.