Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Colombian President Gustavo Petro has called for a nationwide mobilization Wednesday and urged citizens to "defend sovereignty," responding to statements by the U.S. President Donald Trump that in Colombia have been widely interpreted as threats of intervention and direct attacks against the head of state.
The call, posted by Petro on X and echoed by government officials and political allies, urges rallies in public squares across the country starting at 4 p.m. local time, with the main protest planned for Bogota's Plaza de Bolivar, the historic square that houses Colombia's main government institutions. Petro said he will address the crowd.
The escalation follows remarks by Trump in which he referred to Petro in disparaging terms, accused him of backing drug production and left open the possibility of military action, according to reports by Colombian media.
In recent comments, Trump said a military operation against Colombia "sounds good," following a U.S. military incursion in Venezuela. He also accused Petro of links to drug trafficking and said Colombia is "very sick."
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