A chilling warning has been issued by Colombia's President Gustavo Petro, who believes the United States poses a genuine threat of military action against his country. In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Petro paints a picture of a superpower behaving like an empire, with the potential for devastating consequences.
Petro's concerns are not unfounded. The US has recently taken military action in Venezuela, seizing Nicolás Maduro, and President Trump has openly discussed the prospect of a similar operation in Colombia, describing it as a "good" idea. Trump's remarks have sparked widespread demonstrations across Colombia, with citizens rallying in defense of their sovereignty and democracy.
But here's where it gets controversial. Petro accuses the US of treating nations, particularly in Latin America, as part of an "empire" for decades, disregarding international law. He warns that if the US continues on this path, it risks becoming isolated from the world, a far cry from its dream of global dominance.
"An empire was not built by being isolated from the world," Petro asserts. "Instead of a United States dominating the world, it would be a United States isolated from the world."
Petro's concerns extend beyond military action. He strongly criticizes US immigration enforcement, particularly the actions of ICE agents, whom he compares to "Nazi brigades." Trump has significantly expanded ICE operations, justifying them as a crackdown on crime and illegal immigration.
The administration claims to have deported over 600,000 people and encouraged another 1.9 million to "voluntarily self-deport" through aggressive public awareness campaigns. As of November 2025, approximately 65,000 people were in ICE detention.
And this is the part most people miss: Petro believes the US is not just targeting Latin Americans. He points to the recent shooting of a US citizen by an immigration agent in Minneapolis as evidence that ICE has crossed a line. "ICE has reached the point where it no longer only persecutes Latin Americans in the streets, but it also kills United States citizens," he says.
As for Colombia's defense against a potential US attack, Petro prefers dialogue. "Colombia's history shows how it has responded to large armies," he says, adding that the country relies on its masses, mountains, and jungles for protection.
Petro's comments come amid a long-standing adversarial relationship with Trump, marked by insults and tariff threats on social media. The two leaders have fundamentally different views on international relations and the role of the US on the global stage.
In the face of these tensions, Petro has pursued a "total peace" strategy since taking office, prioritizing dialogue with armed groups. While critics argue this approach is too soft, Petro defends it as a necessary step towards de-escalating violence. He points to negotiations in southern Colombia, where coca leaf cultivation has decreased and the homicide rate has fallen.
"We're not fools, we know who we're negotiating with," Petro says, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in achieving peace.
So, what do you think? Is Petro's assessment of the US as an empire accurate? And how should Colombia navigate these complex international relations? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
