Colombia Warns It Will Use Military Force to Repel Any Foreign 'Aggression' After US-Venezuela Strike

Colombia’s Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio has warned that Bogotá would answer any breach of its sovereignty with military force, responding to provocative remarks by United States President Donald Trump following a US strike on Venezuela.

Minister Emphasises Right Of Self-Defence

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Villavicencio invoked international law and the right of nations to self-defence. "If such aggression were to occur, the military must defend the national territory and the country’s sovereignty," she said, stressing that threats against Colombia’s democratically elected president are also an affront to the nation.

Context: US Strike On Venezuela And Trump’s Remarks

The minister’s statement came as regional capitals reacted to a US military strike on Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday that officials say left dozens dead and resulted in the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. When announcing the operation, President Trump described the Western Hemisphere as being within Washington’s sphere of influence and said the action should serve as a warning to those who "threaten American sovereignty or endanger American lives."

"We are reasserting American power in a very powerful way in our home region," Trump said, praising the "great dominance" of the United States.

Allegations And Responses

Trump has alleged that Maduro led a narcotics-trafficking network — a claim previously questioned by US intelligence agencies — and on Air Force One extended critical remarks to Colombia, calling the country "very sick" and appearing to target President Gustavo Petro. "He's not going to be doing it very long, let me tell you," Trump said, and when asked whether the US would carry out an operation against Colombia, he replied, "Sounds good to me."

There is no publicly available evidence tying President Petro personally to narcotics trafficking. Petro’s government has highlighted its efforts to combat cocaine production and trafficking, including destroying labs and intercepting shipments. In November, Colombia announced what it called the largest cocaine seizure in a decade — 14 tonnes seized at the Pacific port of Buenaventura, valued at nearly $388.9 million.

Political Fallout And Calls For Unity

Petro, Colombia’s first left-wing president, condemned the US strike on Venezuela and called for Latin American unity against outside interference. He wrote on social media that the US was "the first country in the world to bomb a South American capital," warning that the act would leave a lasting wound across the region. Petro also recalled his past as a rebel fighter and said he would "consider taking up arms again" if Colombia were attacked — a statement he framed as conditional and reluctant.

Villavicencio reiterated Colombia’s commitment to fighting drug trafficking with "rigour, sacrifice, and a comprehensive approach," and said her ministry rejects any threats to Latin American sovereignty or intimidation directed at Colombia’s democratically elected leaders. She is scheduled to meet with officials from the US Department of State to discuss the tensions and next steps.

What Comes Next: Diplomacy between Bogotá and Washington will likely intensify as Villavicencio meets US officials. Regional leaders are watching closely for responses that could either escalate or de-escalate tensions across Latin America.