Tensions in Latin America escalated further on Monday after Colombian President Gustavo Petro issued a stark warning in response to US actions in Venezuela and months of pressure from Washington. His remarks came just days after US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, an operation that has unsettled governments across the region.

Petro said he would be willing to “take up arms” in defense of his country, framing his statement as a matter of national sovereignty rather than an immediate call to violence.

What exactly did Gustavo Petro say?

In a message posted on social media, Petro reflected on his past as a former guerrilla fighter and his long-standing rejection of armed struggle. He wrote that he had sworn never to touch a weapon again, but added that for the homeland, he would be prepared to do so.

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The remark was widely interpreted as symbolic, signaling defiance rather than a declaration of military intent. Still, its language underscored the level of alarm triggered in the region by recent US actions and rhetoric.

Petro has been openly critical of Washington for months and has frequently clashed with US President Donald Trump over security, sovereignty, and regional autonomy.

The report emerges just as Trump issues a stern warning to Iran, stating that the United States would respond “very hard” if more protesters are killed. “We’re monitoring the situation closely. If they begin killing people as they have before, the U.S. will respond with severe force,” Trump told reporters. Earlier, on January 2, he posted on Truth Social, saying, “We are locked, loaded, and ready to act. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

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Why is Colombia reacting so strongly?

The capture of Maduro by US forces marked a dramatic escalation in American involvement in Latin America. For leaders like Petro, the operation raised fears about precedent, particularly the idea that a sitting head of state could be removed through unilateral military action.

Colombia shares a long and sensitive border with Venezuela, making any instability there a direct national concern. Petro has repeatedly warned that external intervention could spill over into neighboring countries and destabilize the region as a whole.

What did the joint Latin American statement say?

Petro’s comments were reinforced by a collective statement issued by the governments of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, and Spain. The statement expressed deep concern and rejection of unilateral military action on Venezuelan territory.

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It argued that the US operation violated core principles of international law, including the prohibition on the use or threat of force and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, as outlined in the United Nations Charter. The governments warned that such actions set a dangerous precedent for regional peace and security and put civilian lives at risk.

The statement also reaffirmed Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace, built on non-intervention, mutual respect, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. It called for regional unity regardless of political differences in the face of actions that threaten stability.

Petro’s position on Venezuela’s future

Beyond criticism of the US, Petro stressed that Venezuela’s crisis must be resolved through peaceful means alone. He argued that dialogue, negotiation, and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people are the only legitimate paths forward.

According to Petro, any sustainable and democratic solution must be inclusive and led by Venezuelans themselves, without outside interference. He emphasized that human dignity and international law should remain central to any political transition.

What this means for the region

Petro’s remarks reflect growing unease among Latin American leaders who fear a return to an era of overt military intervention by external powers. While there is no indication that Colombia is preparing for armed conflict, the language used by its president highlights how sharply regional rhetoric has hardened since the Venezuela operation.

As Washington continues to issue warnings and maintain pressure, countries across Latin America appear increasingly determined to assert their sovereignty and resist what they see as a dangerous shift in global norms.