Colombia Sends Troops to Venezuela Border Following U.S. Strikes, Calls for OAS Meeting
Updated (2 articles)
Petro Orders Immediate Troop Deployment to Venezuelan Frontier On 3 January 2026 President Gustavo Petro announced on X that he had ordered Colombian military forces to the Venezuela border in response to recent U.S. strikes, describing the attacks as an assault on Latin American sovereignty and warning they could trigger a humanitarian crisis [1]. He framed the deployment as a defensive measure while leaving open the possibility of dialogue to resolve the tension [1].
Government Seeks OAS and UN Intervention on Legality Petro formally requested an urgent meeting of the Organization of American States and the United Nations to assess the international legality of the U.S. actions [1]. Colombia, holding a non‑permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2026, intends to use that platform to press the issue [1]. The appeal underscores Bogotá’s strategy of pursuing multilateral legitimacy rather than unilateral retaliation [1].
Defense Minister Activates Full Border Security Against Illegal Groups Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed that all border‑security capacities have been activated to prevent terrorist attacks by illegal armed groups such as the National Liberation Army (ELN) [1]. An AFP reporter observed normal conditions at the main crossing, indicating no immediate disruption despite heightened alerts [1]. Petro also condemned former President Donald Trump’s recent statement that he would not rule out strikes on Colombian drug‑production laboratories, labeling it an invasion threat [1].
Timeline
2016 – Colombia and the FARC sign a historic peace agreement, ending decades of armed conflict and laying groundwork for future reconciliation (implied by ninth‑anniversary reference in [1]).
Nov 26, 2025 – At a ceremony marking the ninth anniversary of the peace deal, President Gustavo Petro emphasizes protecting the accord’s gains and links the celebration to broader regional stability ([1]).
Dec 19, 2025 – Petro rejects Nicolás Maduro’s request for Colombian military aid, stating “I cannot order the Venezuelan army, nor can anyone in Venezuela order the Colombian army,” and calls for a Venezuelan‑led political solution backed by popular and constitutional legitimacy ([1]).
Dec 2025 – U.S. naval and air forces operate near Venezuela, intensifying pressure on Maduro’s government and raising the risk of armed conflict in the Caribbean basin ([1]).
Jan 3, 2026 – Petro orders the deployment of Colombian troops to the Venezuelan border, describing recent U.S. strikes as an assault on Latin American sovereignty and urging dialogue while activating border‑security measures ([2]).
Jan 2026 – Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez activates all border‑security capacities to prevent terrorist attacks by groups such as the ELN, reinforcing Colombia’s defensive posture ([2]).
Jan 2026 – Former President Donald Trump publicly states he would not rule out strikes on drug‑production laboratories in Colombia, a threat Petro condemns as an invasion of Colombian territory ([2]).
2026 – Colombia holds a non‑permanent seat on the UN Security Council, enabling it to press for an immediate OAS and UN meeting to assess the legality of U.S. actions ([2]).
Early 2026 (planned) – Petro seeks an emergency session of the Organization of American States and the United Nations to establish the international legality of the U.S. aggression, signaling a diplomatic push to counter Washington’s moves ([2]).