Colombia Will Respond to the U.S. and History Will Change for the Planet: A Warning to Trump

Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced during a rally that his country is prepared to respond to the U.S. if it intervenes in Colombia's affairs.

“The jaguar ancestor will awaken if the golden eagle dares to attack the condor. That is the legend. I do not know if it is true, but if it is, I would say to [U.S. Secretary of State Marco] Rubio and [President Donald] Trump: be careful, you are crossing into the liberators’ Caribbean Sea. Be cautious, you are interfering in the affairs of the homeland of Bolívar,” said Petro.

He emphasized that the peasant armies with spears in Colombian territory have defeated the world’s most powerful armies, including Spanish and French forces. Colombia gained independence from Spain in 1819.

“Be careful, as there are nations in the Caribbean that are accustomed to storms. Do not awaken the jaguar,” the Colombian president warned.

Petro also noted that the conflict could still be resolved through diplomatic means. “Let’s talk, but as equals—without bending the knee—because if they dare, they will find here an awakened, powerful jaguar, and history will change not only for the free countries of South America but for the entire planet,” he added.

Recently, U.S.-Colombia relations have been tense. Washington believes Petro’s policies and statements are damaging to the allied relationship. Trump has repeatedly stated that Colombian ships are transporting drugs to the U.S. and should be destroyed.

In October, Trump accused Petro of promoting the drug business in Colombia and stated that the U.S. would cease financial aid. He also mentioned the destruction of a “massive submarine,” which he claimed was loaded with fentanyl and other drugs.

Petro responded by accusing the U.S. of violating Colombia's territorial waters and of the murder of a fisherman who had no connection to drug trafficking. Subsequently, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Petro, his wife, son, and the head of Colombia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, citing the fight against drug smuggling.

Petro has asserted that he will continue to fight against the flow of drugs and does not intend to retreat after the U.S. sanctions.