Bogota: Colombian President Gustavo Petro has 'respectfully' urged the United States to refrain from interfering in Colombia's domestic affairs, following comments made by American envoy Mike Waltz. Waltz accused the Colombian government of 'undermining progress in achieving sustained peace' during a United Nations Security Council meeting.

According to Anadolu Agency, President Petro emphasized that the Security Council does not have jurisdiction over Colombia's peace policy, asserting that it remains sovereign. Petro clarified that the Security Council's mandate, as per Colombia's unilateral declaration, is limited to overseeing the peace process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a commitment that the Colombian government is fulfilling. The UN Verification Mission in Colombia, established in 2016, is tasked with verifying the implementation of the Final Peace Agreement and assisting in the country's peace-building efforts.

In recent months, Colombia has experienced a notable increase in political and criminal violence perpetrated by dissidents from the FARC and the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group. Waltz criticized President Petro's security and peace policies, labeling them as irresponsible both domestically and internationally.

President Petro also addressed what he termed as the United States' 'mistaken position' on issues such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and the peace process with the FARC. He rejected attempts to alter Colombia's stance on the situation in Gaza and stated that those responsible for genocide in the Gaza Strip should face trial similar to the Nazi war criminals at Nuremberg.