Farmers, Indigenous Groups, and Unions Unite for National March Against Trump’s Threats to Colombia

Original article: Campesinos, indígenas y sindicatos llaman a marcha nacional contra amenazas de Trump de atacar Colombia

In response to what they describe as an «extremely serious threat» from U.S. President Donald Trump, a coalition of social, agricultural, Indigenous, and union organizations in Colombia has called for a national march to defend sovereignty and support President Gustavo Petro’s government on December 10.

This call to action, uniting historically mobilized sectors, comes in reaction to Trump’s recent statements suggesting possible military actions against Colombian territory.

During a cabinet meeting at the White House on December 2, the Republican magnate asserted that any country producing and selling drugs to the United States «is subject to attacks,» indicating that Colombia could be a target.

«I have heard that Colombia, the country of Colombia, produces cocaine. They have manufacturing plants, right? And then they sell us cocaine. But yes, anyone who does that and sells it to our country is subject to attacks, not necessarily just Venezuela,» he declared during the meeting.

In light of this threat, the Colombian labor movement has expressed its strong rejection.

«From the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores, we express our most forceful rejection of the serious announcements from the President of the United States regarding North American imperialism, announcing that he will undertake territorial warfare actions in Colombia; we do not agree with that,» stated Fabio Arias, president of the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT).

For representatives of the Indigenous communities involved in the Minga Indígena, the potential threat of foreign intervention is serious.

«We are in discussions, but it’s very likely that we will participate; we believe that Trump’s recent threat to invade our country is extremely serious; the far-right wants to halt the triumph and continuity with Senator Iván Cepeda,» said the coordinator of this group, Lucho Acosta.

The other major labor union, the Conferencia General del Trabajo (CGT), also called on citizens to defend Colombia’s sovereignty.

«Not one step back, the people will prevail because only the people save the people; the CGT will reiterate its call to Colombians to prevent an intervention that would create further grievances for the country,» emphasized CGT president Percy Oyola.

Mobilization in Major Squares Across Colombia

The peaceful demonstrations are scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM in the main squares across the South American country.

According to Radio Nacional de Colombia, in the capital, Bogotá, the gathering will start outside the U.S. Embassy and proceed to Plaza de Bolívar, featuring cultural expressions as described by the organizers.

Broad Call for Participation and National Symbols

Beyond the street mobilization, the organizations made a symbolic call to the population. They invited everyone to fly the Colombian flag at homes, both urban and rural, as an act of presence and defense of national sovereignty. This gesture aims to unite the country with a clear message rejecting any form of foreign interference.

The rally also supports the national government in light of what they term «repressive and anti-national measures,» explicitly referencing the Clinton List and invasion threats.

This mobilization occurs during highly sensitive times in bilateral relations, after various international organizations, such as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), have raised alarms about the implications of military operations conducted by the United States in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean, which have led to the sinking of over 20 vessels—deaths the Trump administration has linked without providing evidence to drug transportation to the American nation—resulting in the deaths of more than 80 crew members.

The IACHR warned that the deployment of armed forces in operations against alleged criminal groups, «especially outside of a given country’s territory, carries a high risk of generating arbitrary loss of life, lack of accountability, violations of due process, and erosion of civilian oversight.»

Consequently, the commission urged Washington to «refrain from using lethal military force in the context of public security operations.»

Through this march, Colombian civil society aims to send a united and firm message: the defense of territorial integrity and self-determination are non-negotiable principles.