Caracas: Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez reaffirmed Tuesday his country's "moral, physical, and territorial support" for Colombia in facing U.S. threats along their shared border.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Padrino Lopez made his statement during a televised address, where he described recent U.S. accusations against Colombian President Gustavo Petro as "offensive and baseless." He criticized the U.S. for labeling President Petro a drug trafficker, stating that such an insult targets not just the president but the Colombian populace as well.

Padrino Lopez further accused Washington of attempting to discredit leaders who resist its hegemonic objectives. He warned that any leader who refuses to yield to U.S. imperialism risks being labeled a narcotrafficker.

The minister emphasized the role of Venezuela's Bolivarian National Armed Forces in safeguarding sovereignty and peace. He stated their mission is to deter violent groups, remove them from Venezuelan territory, and neutralize them when necessary, all while adhering to the law and respecting human rights.

His remarks come amid escalating U.S. threats against Venezuela and rising tensions in bilateral relations between Colombia and the United States.