RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “COLOMBIAN PRESIDENCY” HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO — EDITORIAL USE ONLY —

SHOTLIST:

COLOMBIA (RELEASED ON JAN. 06, 2026) (COLOMBIAN PRESIDENCY - RESTRICTED)

1. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) COLOMBIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ROSA YOLANDA VILLAVICENCIO SAYING:

"We have also stated that we reject all threats made against any country, and that we reject colonial-style administrations when it comes to the sovereignty of countries. The meeting we will hold today with the representative of the United States is precisely to present our verbal note of rejection of these insults and threats, which, as I have said, are not directed only at President Gustavo Petro, but we want them to understand—and for society to know—that he is our democratically elected president, the legitimate president, the head of the security forces and of the State. Therefore, an offense against the president is an offense against our country and a disregard for all the democratic processes we have carried out, which today have placed President Gustavo Petro in the presidency. This is our position, and these are the elements we will discuss with the representative of the United States in today’s meeting.”


2. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) COLOMBIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ROSA YOLANDA VILLAVICENCIO SAYING:

"The Foreign Relations Commission will be convened; it has its procedures, and we will call it in the coming days. With regard to work in the multilateral arena, we have carried out various actions, such as requesting a meeting of the Security Council and keeping the debate and deliberation alive within the Security Council. Today, the OAS Permanent Council is also meeting, and we will be activating all these mechanisms. Meetings are also being held in these forums within the framework of CELAC. Vice Minister Mauricio will explain this multilateral space in greater detail, outlining the actions we are taking and those we will take." COLOMBIA - RELEASED ON JAN. 06, 2026 - RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “COLOMBIAN PRESIDENCY” HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO — EDITORIAL USE ONLY — Colombia rejects all threats against the sovereignty of countries and opposes colonial-style administrations, Acting Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio said on Tuesday, Jan. 06, referring to recent remarks by the United States targeting President Gustavo Petro.

Villavicencio said a meeting would be held with the US representative to present Colombia’s verbal note rejecting what she described as insults and threats coming from the United States, stressing that they are directed not only at Petro but also at the country’s democratic institutions. She underlined that Petro is the democratically elected and legitimate president, as well as the head of state and security forces, adding that any offense against him constitutes an offense against Colombia.

She said the Foreign Relations Commission would be convened in the coming days in line with established procedures, adding that Colombia has activated several mechanisms in the multilateral arena.

Villavicencio noted that Colombia has requested a meeting of the UN Security Council to keep debate and deliberation ongoing, while the Organization of American States (OAS) Permanent Council is also meeting. She added that similar discussions are being held within the framework of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Monday rejected remarks linked to US President Donald Trump and accusations by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reaffirming his constitutional authority, defending his government’s anti-narcotics policy, and warning against foreign interference in Colombia’s sovereignty.

“As for Mr. Rubio, who separates authorities from the president and claims that the president does not want to cooperate while the authorities do, I ask that he read the Constitution of Colombia, because his information is completely erroneous,” said through US social media company X.

His remarks came after the US launched a pre-dawn raid on Venezuela on Saturday, capturing its president and the first lady, who were later flown to New York.