Last week, thousands of Colombians poured into the streets. They expressed their protest against the new U.S. military intervention in Venezuela and the kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro. The protests erupted following an announcement by Colombian President Gustavo Petro that he had agreed to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. This costly development has further stoked fears about a potential new U.S. military footprint in the sensitive region.
The backdrop of the protests stems from growing discontent among Colombians regarding perceived foreign interference in Venezuelan affairs. The situation reached a boiling point last week when Maduro was arrested, causing immediate demonstrations throughout Colombia. Many citizens view Trump’s potential military actions as a direct threat to Colombia’s sovereignty and stability.
In a reaction to the growing pressure, President Petro announced plans for a “day of national mobilisation.” He called on Colombians to march and protest against Trump’s bellicose military threats. He called for the solidarity of the people in defense against foreign meddling. The protests were joined by multiple sectors of society, demonstrating the wide-spread rejection of U.S. intervention in its larger neighbor to the South, Venezuela.
It was Trump’s reaction to the situation that really whipped up the hornet’s nest. When asked about the prospect of a U.S. operation in Colombia, the secretary said, “Sounds good to me.” Currently thousands of Colombians are up in arms against his comments. They are deeply concerned that their country is being dragged into dangerous military actions that will have dangerous repercussions.
The resulting protests have been characterized by massive marches in major urban centers, such as Bogotá and Medellín. Demonstrators from all walks of life waved their colorful banners and chanted their internationalist slogans demanding peace and respect for national sovereignty. Once again, many of the participants were echoing their concerns. They are concerned that U.S. military interventions would only exacerbate regional instability and bring deeper hardships to everyday Colombians.
As the situation develops, it remains unclear how the impending meeting between Trump and Petro will impact the ongoing protests and the broader sentiment in Colombia. Observers note that public opinion is sharply divided on U.S. involvement, with some supporting intervention to address humanitarian crises, while others vehemently oppose any military presence.