Petro Stands Firm Against Maduro: "Colombian Military Takes Orders from No One"

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has publicly dismissed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro's call for a so-called "military union" between the two nations. Petro made it clear that he will not support any initiative that involves the subjugation of foreign armed forces or the backing of a dictatorship.

Petro's remarks were captured in a video shared on X, where the Colombian leader addressed questions from the press regarding Maduro's recent proposal.

His statements were unequivocal: "I do not support a dictatorship. I support a negotiated and peaceful political solution exclusively among the forces of Venezuela and its people, because I believe in popular sovereignty. Now, do I support an invasion? No."

The Colombian head of state also addressed Maduro's intention to involve Colombia's military forces in his political and military strategy.

"No, he cannot give orders to the military," Petro stated, setting a clear boundary against any attempts at interference.

He further elaborated that there are institutional and sovereign principles that cannot be violated, even among ideologically allied governments.

"I cannot order the Venezuelan Army, nor can they give orders to the Colombian Army," he emphasized, ruling out any possibility of military coordination outside the legal and diplomatic frameworks between states.

In this way, Petro explicitly rejects the Venezuelan regime's attempt to drag Colombia into its regional confrontation.

Petro's pronouncement follows Maduro's call for a political and military alliance between Venezuela and Colombia amidst rising tensions with the United States.

During a discussion with members of the Bolivarian Society, the Venezuelan regime leader urged not only Colombian social movements but also their armed forces to align with Caracas in the face of a potential conflict scenario.

"My call is to the people of Colombia, to their social movements, to the military of Colombia. I call for a perfect union with Venezuela so that no one touches the sovereignty of our countries and to exercise Bolívar's dictate of permanent union and happiness," Maduro declared.

In his address, the dictator once again invoked the image of Simón Bolívar and the historical idea of Gran Colombia, proposing a sort of regional "refoundation" as a response to what he perceives as external threats.

According to Maduro, greater political and military integration is necessary to sustain the so-called "Bolivarian revolution."

These statements come amid increasing international pressure on Caracas, highlighted by warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump, new sanctions, and a reinforced discourse from Washington against the Venezuelan regime, which it accuses of drug trafficking and systematic human rights violations.

Until now, the Colombian government had not issued an official reaction.

However, Petro's response made it clear that despite sharing a leftist ideological orientation, Colombia will not support an authoritarian drift nor compromise its military institutionalism for the Venezuelan regime's interests.

Analysts interpreted the President's words as a signal of distancing from Maduro and a reminder that sovereignty and respect between states do not permit unilateral calls or ideological slogans to justify the subordination of armies or peoples.