Colombian President Petro Criticized for Spreading Misinformation About Venezuela

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has come under fire for propagating false claims about an incident at a chemical company in Maracaibo, Venezuela, wrongly characterizing it as a U.S. bombing operation targeting alleged cocaine laboratories linked to the National Liberation Army (ELN).

The incident, which occurred on December 24 at Venezuelan chemical supplies distributor Primazol, was in fact an accidental fire caused by electrical failures, according to the company’s official statements and technical reports. These documents confirm the fire involved the combustion of PET resin and had no connection to illicit activities.

In a direct challenge to Petro’s claims, Primazol’s president Carlos Eduardo Siu and company workers released a video demanding a retraction from the Colombian leader.

“We categorically reject all the false accusations that are being made and that are tarnishing my name. We are a family that has been in this country for more than 80 years,” said Siu in the video. “President Petro, here we neither package nor manufacture any type of narcotic. We ask that you please stop smearing our name and our honor, which have taken so many years to build.”

The company explained that the fire originated in the factory’s main warehouse where PET resins and PVC materials are stored. Primazol, which employs 113 people with 44 residing in Maracaibo, has released closed-circuit footage from before, during, and after the fire to substantiate their account of events.

Critics suggest that Petro’s actions reflect an attempt to curry favor with the incoming Trump administration in Washington, potentially seeking relief from U.S. sanctions against members of his family circle. The Venezuelan outlet La Iguana TV characterized Petro’s statements as a deliberate effort to link Venezuela to drug-trafficking networks, despite the United Nations certifying that Venezuela is not a drug-producing country.

This diplomatic positioning comes at a time when Venezuela continues its campaign against drug trafficking, particularly in the border states of Amazonas and Apure, where authorities report neutralizing irregular aircraft associated with narcotics smuggling.

Regional analysts point out that by spreading disinformation about Venezuela, the Colombian government risks undermining Latin American integration efforts. Some observers note that this approach mirrors tactics historically employed by Colombia’s right wing, which has been accused of deflecting attention from its own challenges in containing domestic drug production—an issue that reportedly continues to grow under Petro’s administration.

The incident highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region. Venezuela’s government has consistently maintained that its Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) is actively engaged in combating drug trafficking within its sovereign territory. Meanwhile, Primazol, with over 14 years of experience in Venezuela’s industrial development, has emphasized that rumors attempting to connect the fire to foreign military operations or illicit activities are unfounded.

In its third corporate statement released Tuesday, Primazol provided additional evidence through a digital repository of security footage that analysts and legal experts say conclusively demonstrates the actual causes of the blaze, contradicting the narrative promoted by Petro.

As tensions continue between the neighboring countries, this incident serves as a reminder of how industrial accidents can become fodder for political propaganda and international positioning, potentially at the cost of regional cooperation and stability.