In brief
In a recent interview with the BBC, Colombia's President Gustavo Petro asserted that there is a 'real threat' of military action by the United States against Colombia. This alarming statement follows comments from former President Donald Trump about potential military operations targeting Colombia and accusations regarding ICE's operations. Petro criticized the US's imperial approach to foreign relations, emphasizing the negative impact on Colombian sovereignty and international relations. He highlighted recent tensions following US military actions in Venezuela and called for dialogue over confrontation.
Colombia's President Gustavo Petro has told the BBC that he believes there is now a 'real threat' of US military action against Colombia. Petro said the United States is treating other nations as part of a US 'empire'. It comes after Trump threatened Colombia with military action. He said that the US risks transforming from 'dominating the world' to becoming 'isolated from the world.' He also accused US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents of acting like 'Nazi brigades'.Following US strikes on Venezuela and the seizure of Nicolás Maduro, US President Donald Trump said a military operation targeting Colombia 'sounds good'. Trump has also repeatedly told Petro to 'watch his ass', remarks Petro strongly condemned. Trump and Petro spoke by phone on Wednesday evening, after which Trump said he would meet his Colombian counterpart at the White House in the 'near future'.But on Thursday, Petro's tone suggested relations had not significantly improved. He told the BBC the call lasted just under an hour, 'most of it occupied by me,' and covered 'drug trafficking Colombia' and Colombia's view on Venezuela and 'what is happening around Latin America regarding the United States.'Petro strongly criticised recent US immigration enforcement, accusing ICE agents of operating like 'Nazi brigades'. President Trump has often blamed immigration for crime and trafficking in the US, using it to justify large-scale enforcement operations, and has accused countries like Colombia and Venezuela of not doing enough to tackle drug-trafficking.Since returning to the White House, the US president has sent ICE agents to cities across the country. The agency enforces immigration laws and conducts investigations into undocumented immigration. It also plays a role in removing undocumented immigrants from the US. The administration says it deported 605,000 people between 20 January and 10 December 2025.In this tense climate, Petro's remarks highlighted the historical context of US-Colombia relations, emphasizing Colombia's loss of territory like Panama due to past interventions. He concluded by reaffirming the importance of dialogue over military confrontation while acknowledging Colombia's unique geographic defenses that do not match US military capabilities.
