Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for internal cohesion to resist external pressures, particularly in response to the U.S. naval deployment in the Caribbean. Photo: Colombian Presidency
Guacamaya, September 9, 2025. Petro issued a message of solidarity with Venezuelan former presidential candidate Enrique Márquez, who has been detained for eight months in Caracas. Through his account on the social media platform X, Petro also advocated for “dozens of Colombians” imprisoned in Venezuela and urged dialogue as a means of defending against injustice.
“Enrique Márquez has been detained for eight months, along with dozens of Colombians in Venezuelan prisons. Beware: Venezuela cannot be defended from injustice if injustice is exercised from power. The time has come to defend Venezuela, which requires the unity of its people. A divided people is easy to invade. It is time for dialogue, reconciliation, and unity in Venezuela,” Petro stated.
His message was accompanied by a link to an emotional letter written by Sonia Lugo, wife of the Venezuelan opposition figure, highlighting the injustice faced by Márquez and the need to create space for dialogue and reconciliation. Márquez, who also served as vice president of Venezuela’s National Electoral Council, was detained following disputes over the July 28, 2024 elections.
Petro’s concern also extended to Colombian nationals imprisoned in Venezuela, who, according to relatives and the Colombian government, are being held under arbitrary conditions and lack regular communication with their families. The Colombian executive has stated that it maintains ongoing communication with Venezuela to negotiate the release of these citizens.
Intervention in Manaus and Rejection of Military Invasion
Petro attended the inauguration ceremony of the Amazon International Police Cooperation Center (CCPI), held Tuesday in Manaus, Brazil. Alongside his calls for justice and the release of political prisoners, the Colombian president used the occasion to firmly reject any use of Colombian territory for military action against Venezuela.
“Colombia will not lend its territory for an invasion,” the president declared. He also condemned the U.S. military fleet’s attack on a Venezuelan civilian vessel. “Latin America, which owns the Caribbean, cannot tolerate this and remain silent—otherwise, the bombs will later fall on Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro, Manaus, and other cities in the region,” he warned.
Petro criticized the absence of Venezuela, Peru, and Bolivia from the event, noting that they are key members of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO), under which the international security alliance has been formed. He also proposed that South American countries promote a dialogue process to foster reconciliation and peace in Venezuela.
