Colombia opened the door to a sensitive area of regional geopolitics by acknowledging that it does not rule out offering political asylum to Nicolas Maduro should the Venezuelan president leave power, according to Colombia’s Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio.
The statements, given in an interview with a local radio outlet, sparked the inevitable debate full of opposing opinions, as usually happens with everything concerning the controversial Venezuelan leader, whom — it’s worth remembering — Colombia has not recognized as the legitimate president since 2024.
The official position of Gustavo Petro’s government, outlined by Villavicencio, does not amount to an explicit invitation or a firm commitment, but it does make clear that if a political transition in Venezuela were to occur that entails Maduro’s departure, the country would not close the door to an asylum request.
The minister stressed that this possibility is framed within the concept of asylum as a universal right and acknowledged that, from Colombia’s perspective, there would be no legal reason to deny protection to anyone requesting it under those circumstances.
Colombia doesn’t rule out granting asylum to Maduro if he steps down in Venezuela
The Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio placed this discussion in a broader context marked by political tensions both within the region and between the United States and Venezuela. She noted that there is a need for negotiation to find peaceful solutions to the Caribbean crisis, and suggested that if, in a scenario of high international pressure, a transition in Venezuela were demanded, Colombia could be part of a mediating solution.
In fact, this is essentially the position the Petro government has maintained — with slight variations — since July of last year, when Maduro was reelected after a controversial presidential vote denounced as fraudulent by the opposition and international organizations. In this regard, and taking into account the escalation — particularly with the inclusion of a military threat from the United States — Colombia is working to seek an alternative solution that avoids a confrontation that — Petro warned — would destabilize the entire region.
“In the moment of tension that exists, well, there must be negotiation, and surely if the United States demands a transition or a change, then that is something they must assess. And if that solution implies that he has to live in another country or request protection, then Colombia would have no reason to say no,” said the head of Colombian diplomacy.
The minister added that although Colombia would remain open to granting asylum, she does not believe Maduro would choose to live in the country if he decided to go into exile. According to her, it is more likely he would seek a more distant and quiet place, suggesting an acknowledgment of the risks and controversies that his presence in Colombia would entail. This assessment seeks to soften the announcement, aware that hosting such a polarizing figure could trigger adverse reactions both inside and outside the country.
Venezuela has not asked Colombia for mediation
Colombia’s diplomatic machinery has spent months trying to seek alternative solutions — always based on dialogue — to facilitate a potential political transition that — inevitably — hinges on Maduro’s departure from power. However, Minister Villavicencio acknowledges that Caracas has not formally asked them to mediate in its conflict with the United States.
“The situation of tension between the United States and Venezuela, if they require that there must be a transition stage, it means Maduro would leave. That would surely be a solution to the situation we’re living through now. … So far, they have not asked us to mediate. They are talking, and they must talk to find an agreement, but that is something that corresponds to the two of them and to those they accept as mediators,” she told the Colombian broadcaster Caracol Radio.
In fact, Villavicencio referred to the poor relations that Colombia itself maintains with the White House, with the latest threats from President Trump directed not only at President Gustavo Petro, but even mentioning a possible military intervention against the country under the pretext of drug-trafficking enforcement.
“Colombia is producing a lot of drugs, a lot. They have cocaine factories … and they sell it directly to the United States. So, they’d better come to their senses, or he’ll be next. He’ll be next, too. … And I hope he’s listening. He’ll be next. … Because we don’t like people who kill people and sell drugs. … And Colombia is a big drug manufacturer — cocaine in particular, as you know,” President Trump said yesterday in remarks from the Oval Office.
These statements were rejected by Villavicencio, who accused the United States of using “psychological warfare” against political adversaries who do not follow its lead in foreign policy. “The president of the United States has been using this psychological warfare against the countries that have opposed his decisions. But it is entirely legitimate to oppose measures that are truly arbitrary and do not respect international humanitarian law,” she said.