Petro vows to take up arms in response to Trump after Maduro's arrest

In a dangerous escalation of events in Latin America, Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Monday to "take up arms again" to defend his country, in a direct and sharp response to threats from US President Donald Trump . This unprecedented tension follows the US military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his transfer to the United States.

Petro: For the sake of the homeland, I will take up arms

In a controversial tweet on the X platform, Petro, the first leftist president in modern Colombian history, declared: "I swore never to touch a weapon again... but for the sake of the nation, I will take up arms again." This statement carries profound implications given Petro's background as a former member of the M-19 guerrilla movement, before he laid down his arms and embraced peaceful politics, which ultimately led him to the presidency.

This response came after a fierce verbal attack by Trump over the weekend, in which he warned Petro, "He has to be careful," describing the Colombian leader as "a sick man who enjoys making cocaine and selling it to the United States," accusations that further heighten diplomatic tensions between Washington and Bogota.

Background of the conflict and the impact of Maduro's arrest

This sharp exchange cannot be separated from the political earthquake that struck the region with the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro . Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, arrived in New York to face charges in the US related to "terrorism and drug trafficking." Maduro is scheduled to appear before a federal court today, Monday, for an initial procedural hearing, in an event described by international media as a historic turning point in relations between the United States and Latin America.

Regional repercussions and fears of a return to "the big stick"

This escalation raises widespread concerns about a return to direct intervention, or what is historically known as the "big stick" policy, in Washington's backyard. Observers believe that Trump's threats against Petro, coinciding with Maduro's arrest, could lead to:

• Unifying the left-wing front: This pressure may push left-wing leaders in the region (such as Lula da Silva in Brazil and Andrés Manuel López Obrador in Mexico) to form a unified bloc to confront what they consider "American imperialism".
• Security instability: The threat by a head of state like Colombia to resort to arms reflects a potential breakdown of diplomatic norms, which could fuel internal insurgencies or lead to border skirmishes in a region already suffering from security fragility.
• A full-blown diplomatic crisis: Relations between the United States and South American countries could head towards a diplomatic break or reciprocal economic sanctions, which would negatively affect vital issues such as immigration, drug control, and energy.

While the world awaits the proceedings of Maduro’s trial in New York, attention remains focused on the reactions coming from Bogota, and whether Petro’s statement is merely a political maneuver to boost his domestic popularity, or a real warning of a new phase of armed conflict in the continent.