President Petro's clash with Trump over Venezuela raises tensions in Colombia

Colombian President Gustavo Petro sharply criticized the U.S. capture of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro while Bogotá says it will continue security cooperation with Washington and has convened emergency meetings at the U.N. and O.A.S.

Colombia is navigating a sudden diplomatic crisis after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. President Gustavo Petro has publicly denounced the action and called for popular protests and emergency deliberations. At the same time, senior Colombian ministers have told U.S. counterparts they will keep cooperating on counternarcotics and intelligence. The government also says it is preparing for potential threats while pursuing diplomatic channels. Key developments: - U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, an action reported by U.S. officials. - President Gustavo Petro responded with sharp public criticism, calls for street demonstrations and emergency appeals to the U.N. and the Organization of American States. - Colombian ministers announced continued coordination with U.S. intelligence and counternarcotics efforts, and Defense and Foreign Ministry officials made public assurances about security cooperation. - Colombian leaders said they were preparing for “the possibility of aggression” and noted the country’s armed forces are trained; national elections are scheduled this year, and Petro is constitutionally barred from seeking immediate re-election. Summary: The episode has heightened tensions between Bogotá and Washington while key security cooperation lines remain in place. Colombian officials have pursued emergency diplomatic engagement at the U.N. and O.A.S. and publicly affirmed ongoing counternarcotics coordination with the U.S. The political context includes upcoming legislative and presidential votes this year, and how those timelines affect relations is currently undetermined at this time.