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 stated that the US is treating other nations as part of a US empire, following comments from Donald Trump suggesting a military operation in Colombia sounds good. According to Petro, the US risks transitioning from being a global power to becoming isolated.
He criticized US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as behaving like Nazi brigades, amid escalating operations aimed at tackling illegal immigration and crime, which have increased during Trump's presidency.
During a phone call with Trump, the dynamics of US-Colombia relations seemed to shift, with discussions covering Colombia's challenges with drug trafficking and the broader situation in Latin America. However, Petro's rhetoric post-call suggests significant concerns remain.
The Colombian president emphasized the need for dialogue rather than military engagement, reflecting on Colombia's historical experiences with foreign armies, asserting, It's not about confronting a large army with weapons we don't have. He indicated that Colombia's strategy would prioritize engaging the masses and leveraging their geographic features for defense.
Petro criticized Trump's military strategies in the region, particularly recent US operations in Venezuela, framing them as imperialistic ambitions linked to controlling resources like oil and coal. The Colombian government continues to confront the realities of being a significant player in the global drug trade and pressures from the US regarding drug trafficking enforcement.
Following Trump's statements, protests erupted in Colombia, emphasizing national sovereignty. The president needs to balance his government's approach to drug cartels while safeguarding the country's autonomy in the face of external pressures.
Looking ahead, Petro recognizes the ongoing complexity of US-Colombia relations and the fine line his administration must navigate to ensure both security and diplomatic ties without succumbing to military threats.
