Colombia’s President Supports Maduro Amid Increased U.S. Reward

Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his backing for Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on Sunday, coinciding with the U.S. doubling its reward for information leading to Maduro’s capture or conviction to $50 million.

Petro urged Colombians to view Venezuelans as “the same people,” and claimed that there are indications of a “U.S. military intervention” in Venezuela, although he did not provide evidence for this assertion.

In a tweet, Petro stated, “I’m publicly sharing my orders as commanders of the Colombian army. Colombia and Venezuela have the same people, the same flags, the same history.” He further remarked that unauthorized military operations by other nations would be aggressive acts against Latin America and the Caribbean, citing a historical principle of freedom.

He alluded to Simón Bolívar, stating that the cry for “freedom or death” should resonate with the people. Meanwhile, Petro issued his directive to the Colombian army shortly after reports emerged that former President Donald Trump had signed an order to use military force against certain drug trafficking groups in Latin America.

The reward increase for Maduro follows U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondy’s announcement, highlighting the escalating measures against narcotic-related crimes. Maduro has been implicated in intercontinental drug trafficking, with accusations of complicity from high-ranking Venezuelan military officials.

Before Petro’s tweet, Javier José Marcano, associated with Venezuela’s military, reaffirmed loyalty to Maduro’s regime. Petro stated, “The army that once existed in Gran Colombia will proudly raise the flag of freedom.” He referenced Gran Colombia, a short-lived nation from the early 19th century, suggesting a desire to revive a regional unity.

Petro’s comments drew heavy criticism from Colombian politicians. The conservative Democratic Centre accused him of misleading the public and defended their stance against Maduro, labeling him a dictator responsible for Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis.

They argued that supporting Maduro is not in alignment with the interests of the Colombian army and the nation’s constitution. According to them, it is irresponsible to defend a regime that has caused immense suffering while incentivizing Colombia’s military to engage in conflicts tied to Maduro’s government.

Recent reports from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime revealed that Colombia’s cocaine production has surged to record levels this year, raising concerns about the country’s role in drug trafficking.