Colombia's President Warns of Potential US Military Action Amid Rising Tensions

Sat Jan 10 2026 03:10:17 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a stark interview with the BBC, Colombia's President Gustavo Petro expressed concerns over what he regards as a real threat of US military action against Colombia following provocative remarks from President Trump.

During a recent interview, Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated that the threat of US military intervention in Colombia has become very real. This follows a series of inflammatory comments made by US President Donald Trump, who suggested military action against Colombia could be necessary, further escalating tensions between the two nations. Petro highlighted the historical implications of such threats, emphasizing the need for dialogue over military 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 stated that the United States is treating other nations as part of a US empire and noted that recent comments from Trump have exacerbated these fears. President Trump recently suggested that military operations in Colombia sound good, following US strikes on Venezuela and efforts to seize control from President Nicolás Maduro.

Petro condemned the remarks and described ICE agents as acting like Nazi brigades amidst the expanding scope of US immigration enforcement. He called for a diplomatic approach to defuse tensions and criticized the historical context of US interventions in Latin America, referencing Colombia's loss of territory in the past.

After a telephone call with Trump, Petro indicated that relations might be improving, but he maintained a cautious tone about the seriousness of the threat posed by the US. He emphasized the importance of dialogue and warned against military strategies, reflecting on Colombia's own capabilities.

With Colombia being a critical player in the global drug trade and a significant oil producer, the implications of US military action could reverberate far beyond Latin America.