Colombia, Mexico firmly oppose US military intervention threats

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Colombia, Mexico firmly oppose US military intervention threats

2026-01-06 15:59 Last Updated At：01-07 12:20

The Presidents of Colombia and Mexico have expressed firm opposition to U.S. threats of military intervention in their countries following a recent U.S. military operation that seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Colombian President Gustavo Petro Sunday night, saying Petro "is not going to be doing it for very long."

When asked about the possibility of a U.S. military operation against Colombia, Trump replied, "It sounds good to me."

Trump told reporters on Air Force One that Colombia, which borders Venezuela, is "run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States,"

In response, Petro has defended his government's track record on fighting drug trafficking and says he is ready to take up arms in the face of Trump's threats.

Trump has also targeted Mexico, saying the country is run by drug cartels.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday rejected the possibility of U.S. intervention in Mexico to combat drug cartels, stressing the importance of maintaining national sovereignty and strengthening the country's unity.

During her usual daily press conference, Sheinbaum dismissed the need for talks with Trump, who has repeatedly suggested sending U.S. troops to Mexico to combat drug trafficking.

Any security cooperation must be based on mutual respect, national sovereignty, and collaboration without subordination, she stressed.

Xi awards Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic China's friendship medal

Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China in Beijing on Monday.

As solemn music played and the golden doors slowly opened, Xi and Vucic entered the hall together, followed by Xi's wife Peng Liyuan and Vucic's wife Tamara Vucic.

Applauding guests rose to their feet, and paid respect to the two heads of state.

A Guard of Honor escorted the Friendship Medal into the hall, and amid solemn music, Xi formally presented the medal to Vucic.

Xi highlighted Vucic's long-standing commitment to advancing China-Serbia friendship and underscored the significance of the honor.

"President Vucic has long stayed committed to China-Serbia friendship, and he has always given China the firmest and clearest support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. He gains the respect from the Chinese people. This medal is not only a high recognition of President Vucic's contributions to bilateral friendship, but also carries the earnest expectations of both peoples for building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era," Xi said.

The Friendship Medal is China's highest state honor for foreigners, reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive, promoting exchange and cooperation between China and the world, and safeguarding world peace.

At the invitation of Xi, Vucic is on a state visit to China from Sunday to Thursday, with this marking his first state visit to China and his ninth trip to the country overall.