M-19

M-19 (Movimiento 19 de Abril) was a Colombian leftist guerrilla movement active primarily in the 1970s and 1980s. The group demobilized in the early 1990s and transitioned into a political party. M-19 is newsworthy due to its connection to current Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who was a former member. Recent news articles highlight Petro's past involvement with the group in the context of escalating tensions between Colombia and the United States. Specifically, Petro's strong reaction to potential US military action against Colombia, including his statement about potentially taking up arms again, draws attention to his history with M-19. This connection underscores the complex political landscape in Colombia and the lasting impact of the country's history of armed conflict on its present-day leadership and international relations.