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, stating 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'.
The BBC has approached the White House for comment.
Following US strikes on Venezuela and the seizure of Nicolás Maduro, US President Donald Trump stated that a military operation targeting Colombia 'sounds good'. Trump has also repeatedly warned Petro to 'watch his ass,' remarks that Petro has strongly condemned.
Trump and Petro spoke by phone recently, with a Colombian official describing the call as reflecting a significant shift in rhetoric from both sides. However, after the call, Petro's tone suggested relations remained tense. He criticized ICE's enforcement tactics, linking them to violence against US citizens, and declared that a truly dominant US cannot afford isolation.
As a major hub for drugs and possessing significant resources, Colombia's relations with the US have seen ups and downs, often intertwining with broader geopolitical issues in Latin America. Petro emphasized the importance of dialogue for addressing tensions, highlighting that military confrontations have historically led to significant loss for Colombia. He continued to advocate for a diplomatic resolution, stating, 'it's not about confronting a large army with weapons we don't have.'
With various agencies operating in Colombia under the pretense of countering drug trafficking, Petro also expressed concerns about potential covert operations reminiscent of US actions in Venezuela. The tensions amplifying between these two nations continue to shape political discourse, as Colombia prepares for potential challenges and seeks to solidify its sovereignty in a complex international landscape.
The BBC has approached the White House for comment.
Following US strikes on Venezuela and the seizure of Nicolás Maduro, US President Donald Trump stated that a military operation targeting Colombia 'sounds good'. Trump has also repeatedly warned Petro to 'watch his ass,' remarks that Petro has strongly condemned.
Trump and Petro spoke by phone recently, with a Colombian official describing the call as reflecting a significant shift in rhetoric from both sides. However, after the call, Petro's tone suggested relations remained tense. He criticized ICE's enforcement tactics, linking them to violence against US citizens, and declared that a truly dominant US cannot afford isolation.
As a major hub for drugs and possessing significant resources, Colombia's relations with the US have seen ups and downs, often intertwining with broader geopolitical issues in Latin America. Petro emphasized the importance of dialogue for addressing tensions, highlighting that military confrontations have historically led to significant loss for Colombia. He continued to advocate for a diplomatic resolution, stating, 'it's not about confronting a large army with weapons we don't have.'
With various agencies operating in Colombia under the pretense of countering drug trafficking, Petro also expressed concerns about potential covert operations reminiscent of US actions in Venezuela. The tensions amplifying between these two nations continue to shape political discourse, as Colombia prepares for potential challenges and seeks to solidify its sovereignty in a complex international landscape.
