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'If they want to arrest me, try it' - Petro challenges Trump after support for Abelardo de la Espriella heading to second presidential round in Colombia

"The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, accused the president of the United States, Donald Trump, this Friday of trying to influence the country's presidential elections by showing his support for the candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who will compete in the second round alongside Ivan Cepeda. During a public speech in Cordoba, Petro questioned Trump and the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, for Washington's stance on the fight against drug trafficking and its involvement in Latin American countries. "I don't understand Donald Trump or Mr. [Marco] Rubio. They have to decide: either we are going to fight against drug trafficking or you are going to bring drug trafficking to the White House to make laws about the people of Latin America with the same drug traffickers," he expressed. In that sense, Petro showed confidence in the face of possible sanctions from the United States. "They can put me on the OFAC list 10,000 times and if they want to imprison me, try it, but I will not lower my voice," he stated. He also referred to the business ties that Abelardo de la Espriella maintains in Miami, where his law firm is located and where he received support from Colombian citizens during the first round of elections. "Let them take their boss from Miami, who lives rich there and comes and likes to live in comfort and luxury. But here we are workers," he maintained. In that tone, the president reaffirmed national identity and rejected any attempt to replicate foreign political models. "We do not accept being like Miami or thinking like Miami. We are Colombians and we think like Colombians and we are proud of that," he added. During his speech, Petro pointed out that there are international interests seeking to influence national politics. In that context, he mentioned international leaders such as the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu; the president of Argentina, Javie Milei; and the former president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was pardoned by Trump after being convicted of drug trafficking. "With Netanyahu's money, with the money of genocide, they come here to buy the conscience of the Colombian people to see if we are going to resemble Miami," he asserted. While Ivan Cepeda, candidate of the Historical Pact, aims to continue Petro's political project, Abelardo de la Espriella, candidate of Defenders of the Homeland, represents the sectors of the Colombian right. Both will face off in a second round on June 21 to define the country's next president for the 2026-2030 period."