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President Petro issued a broad and forceful response to President Trump’s remarks about Colombia and countries in the region.

Regarding allegations against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Petro said: “I do not know whether Maduro is good or bad, nor do I even know whether he is a drug trafficker. However, in the archives of Colombia’s judiciary, despite half a century of investigations, neither Maduro’s nor Cilia Flores’s name appears.”

Emphasizing the independence of Colombia’s judiciary, Petro said: “The judiciary does not belong to me; it is an independent branch, largely under the control of my opposition. Anyone who wants to learn about the cocaine mafia should look at Colombia’s judicial archives.”

Calling Trump’s remarks targeting him “slander,” Petro said: “For 50 years, my name has appeared neither in the past nor today in drug files. Stop smearing me, Mr. Trump.”

Referring to his political past, Petro said: “I was part of the M-19 movement, which fought for democracy against the civilian dictatorship under the so-called ‘state of emergency.’ I was part of the movement that achieved the first peace in Latin America.” He argued that Trump does not know Colombia’s history and urged U.S. officials to “listen to their own experts.”

Stressing that he has no hostility toward the American people, Petro said: “I have never burned the U.S. flag. I respect the American working class, the Black population, Indigenous peoples, and the soldiers who defeated Hitler.” Recalling his speech in New York during the UN General Assembly, Petro said he raised his voice against the situation in Gaza, adding: “I wish we had worked together for peace in Gaza.”

Responding to interventionist rhetoric toward Latin America, Petro said: “I reject being defined as your sphere of domination. Latin Americans are republican, independent, and many are revolutionary.” Opposing the criminalization of the region, he added: “Latin America is not merely a haven for criminals; it is the land of peoples fighting for democracy and freedom.”

The statement noted that ties with China and Russia alone are insufficient: “The alliance with China and Russia was not enough. The real alliance must be Latin America itself, which has been bombed today. Latin America must unite; otherwise it will continue to be treated like a slave.” A reference was also made to Brazilian President Lula, emphasizing the priority of regional solidarity.

Petro also addressed those who applauded the bombing of Caracas, saying it would not be forgotten: “The United States became the first country in history to bomb a South American capital. If that is a medal, it is a terrible one and will not be forgotten for generations.”

Concluding, Petro stressed that Latin America can stand only through unity: “Friends do not bomb. This wound will remain open for a long time, but the solution is not vendetta—it is unity.”