Colombia's Petro Shifts Stance on Venezuela, Presses Maduro Over Detained Nationals

Colombian President Gustavo Petro called on the Venezuelan government to release dozens of Colombian nationals reportedly detained without due process, signaling a shift in tone after months of defending the Maduro-led regime amid rising tensions with Washington.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Petro highlighted the case of Enrique Márquez, a former Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate detained since January, while also drawing attention to "dozens of Colombians" held in Venezuelan prisons:

"Enrique Márquez has been detained for eight months, along with dozens of Colombians in Venezuelan prisons. Be warned: Venezuela cannot be defended from injustice if injustice is exercised from power itself"

Petro also urged dialogue and reconciliation in Venezuela, calling on unity to defending the country from external threats: "The time has come to defend Venezuela, and that requires the unity of its people. A divided nation is easy to invade. It is time for dialogue, reconciliation, and unity in Venezuela."

The remarks are a sharp contrast with Petro's recent positions defending President Nicolás Maduro's government against U.S. military pressure. Over the past weeks he has condemned Washington's deployment of naval assets near Venezuelan waters and rejected U.S. claims about the existence of the so-called Cartel de los Soles, calling it a "fictitious excuse" used to justify interventions against Caracas.

Petro has also warned that a potential U.S. invasion could destabilize the entire region, likening the risks to "what we see in Syria and Iraq."

The Venezuelan government, led by Maduro and senior official Diosdado Cabello, has not responded directly to Petro's latest statements. Cabello previously defended Márquez's detention as Venezuelan outlet Efecto Cocuyo points out, alleging his involvement in a foreign-backed conspiracy, while Márquez's family says they have been denied access to legal counsel and have had no direct communication since his arrest.

Petro's shift comes amid heightened regional tensions. In recent weeks, the U.S. has intensified counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean, escalating disputes with Caracas.