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BOGOTA, COLOMBIA â The geopolitical shockwaves from the capture of NicolĂĄs Maduro have reached Colombia, where President Gustavo Petro has decided that the best defense is a loud offense. Following subtle but unmistakable signals from the Trump White House that Petroâa former guerilla with alleged ties to illicit financingâcould be the next target in the regional âcleanup,â the Colombian leader issued a stunning challenge.
âIf you want to jail me, try and see if you can,â Petro roared, addressing President Trump directly. âIf you want to put me in an orange uniform, try it. Do not think Colombia is the same as everywhere else.â
The âOrange Uniformâ Fear Petroâs specific reference to the âorange uniformâ (the standard U.S. federal prison jumpsuit) betrays a deep anxiety. It suggests he knows that an indictment is not just possible, but likely. However, unlike Maduro who hid, Petro is daring the U.S. to act, gambling that the logistical nightmare of extracting a sitting President from a U.S. ally would be too high.
âThe Streets Will Defend Meâ Petro is banking on âpeople powerâ as his iron dome. âThe Colombian people will take to the streets to defend me,â he warned. âYou will not arrest a President; you will have to fight a people.â

if Trump will accept the challenge, but when.
âTHE FUNDING IS GONEâ: TRUMP SLASHES ALL GRANTS FOR TRANSGENDER HEALTH RESEARCH, ACTIVISTS DECLARE âSTATE OF EMERGENCYâ

