Colombian President Gustavo Petro has vowed to take up arms in self-defence and to defend his country’s territorial integrity, following threats of invasion from President Donald Trump. 

In a statement on X on Monday, Mr Petro said, “I will check if Trump’s words in English translate as the national press says. Therefore, later I will respond to them once I know what Trump’s illegitimate threat really means.”

A former rebel, Mr Petro said he is not an illuminated president and that he trusts his citizens to defend him against U.S. forces, adding that he would take up arms to protect himself and the country from invasion.

“Although I have not been a military man, I know about war and clandestinity. I swore not to touch a weapon again since the 1989 Peace Pact, but for the Homeland I will take up arms again that I do not want,” Mr Petro said.

He added, “I am not illegitimate, nor am I a narco, I only have as assets my family home, that I still pay for with my salary. My bank statements have been published. No one could say that I have spent more than my salary. I am not greedy. I have enormous trust in my people and that is why I have asked the people to defend the president from any illegitimate violent act against him.”

Mr Petro’s statement comes against the backdrop of a threat by Mr Trump after the U.S. army invaded Venezuela and captured its leader, Nicolás Maduro, on Saturday.

The American president threatened military action against Colombia’s government, telling reporters that “such an operation sounds good” to him.