Colombia's President Sounds Alarm Over Potential US Military Action

Sat Jan 10 2026 21:41:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a recent interview, Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed serious concerns about the possibility of US military intervention in Colombia, amidst escalating tensions and provocative remarks from US leadership.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro articulated a growing fear of US military action against Colombia during a BBC interview. He criticized the US approach to foreign policy, describing it as imperialistic, and condemned remarks from former President Trump that suggested military operations in Colombia could be acceptable. Petro conveyed that such threats reflect a dangerous trajectory that could isolate the US from the world. He emphasized the importance of dialogue but acknowledged the historical context of Colombia’s military responses to past conflicts.

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 US is treating other nations as part of a US empire. It comes after Trump said a military operation in Colombia sounds good. Petro stated 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. Trump has significantly expanded ICE operations as part of what the administration says is a crackdown on crime and immigrants who illegally entered the US.

The BBC has approached the White House for comment.

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 described his conversation with Petro as a Great Honour. A Colombian official noted that the conversation marked a significant shift in rhetoric from both sides. However, the next day, Petro's tone suggested relations had not significantly improved.

Petro emphasized the importance of dialogue while acknowledging Colombia's historical context of military responses to external pressures and conflicts. He stated, It’s not about confronting a large army with weapons we don’t have. We rely on the masses, our mountains, and our jungles, as we always have.

URGING President Trump to reconsider his imperialistic posturing, Petro criticized US immigration enforcement while defending his administration’s strategy against drug trafficking and violence, setting the stage for a potentially rocky interaction as he prepares to engage with the US leadership.

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