Petro, Lula and Arce Lead Amazon Summit in Bogotá Amid U.S. Indictment Warning and Maduro Accusations

The Fifth Summit of Amazonian Countries was held on August 22, 2025, in Bogotá, Colombia, with participation from leaders including Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Bolivian President Luis Arce. The summit focused on a collective commitment by eight Amazonian countries to protect the Amazon rainforest, described as the world's largest ecosystem and vital carbon sink. President Petro called for a united South American front against narcotrafficking, which he identified as a key threat to the Amazon. The summit concluded with a common position in defense of the Amazon, including joint measures to combat narcotrafficking and illegal economies threatening the region. In the aftermath, Petro faced criticism from U.S. Congressman Carlos Giménez, who warned that Petro could be indicted by U.S. authorities for alleged cooperation with a drug cartel linked to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Petro rejected the accusations, stating that Giménez has no right to judge any president. Maduro, meanwhile, accused former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe of ties to the Medellín drug cartel and criticized U.S. policies, labeling the U.S. as the epicenter of organized crime and corruption. Maduro also condemned U.S. anti-drug efforts as historically failed and questioned the focus on military deployment in the Caribbean, noting that 80% of drug trafficking occurs via the Pacific. Venezuelan officials, including Diosdado Cabello, warned against drug trafficking through Venezuela and pledged strong responses. The tensions between Venezuela and the U.S. intensified, with Maduro asserting that Venezuela will not be touched amid ongoing disputes.