BOGOTÁ, Colombia — Colombian President Gustavo Petro has warned that there is a “real threat” of US military action against Colombia, escalating diplomatic tensions between Bogotá and Washington.
Speaking to the BBC, Petro said recent remarks by US President Donald Trump signal a dangerous shift in US policy toward Latin America. He accused Washington of treating other nations as part of a US “empire.”
“The United States risks moving from dominating the world to becoming isolated from it,” Petro said.
The comments followed Trump’s public threats toward Colombia. After US strikes in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, Trump said a military operation targeting Colombia “sounds good.”
Trump has also repeatedly warned Petro to “watch his ass,” remarks that Colombian officials have condemned as reckless.
Petro said the threat should be taken seriously. He pointed to Colombia’s history, including the loss of Panama in the early 20th century, as evidence that foreign intervention remains a real concern.
“This is not rhetoric,” Petro said. “It is a real threat.”
The two leaders spoke by phone on Wednesday evening. Trump later described the call as a “Great Honour” and said he would meet Petro at the White House “in the near future.”
A Colombian official said the call marked a dramatic softening of tone from both sides.
But Petro’s comments on Thursday suggested otherwise.
He said the call lasted just under an hour and focused largely on drug trafficking, Venezuela, and US relations with Latin America. He said most of the conversation was driven by Colombia’s position.
Petro also launched a sharp attack on US immigration enforcement.
He accused US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents of behaving like “Nazi brigades,” following the expansion of immigration raids across US cities.
Petro said the situation had reached a dangerous point.
“ICE no longer only persecutes Latin Americans in the streets,” he said. “It now kills United States citizens.”
His remarks followed the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old US citizen in Minneapolis during an ICE operation. The incident triggered protests, with the city’s mayor accusing federal agents of acting recklessly.
The White House has not commented on Petro’s claims. The BBC said it had contacted US officials for a response.
The Trump administration has defended the ICE operations. It says they target crime and undocumented immigration.
US officials say they deported more than 605,000 people between January and December 2025. They also claim nearly 1.9 million people voluntarily left the country during the same period.
As of late November 2025, about 65,000 people were held in ICE detention.
Petro linked US enforcement and foreign policy to broader geopolitical ambitions. He accused Washington of pursuing wars over oil and coal.
He also criticised the US withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement. He said continued reliance on fossil fuels fuels conflict and instability in Latin America.
In Venezuela, Petro confirmed he has spoken with acting President Delcy Rodríguez and invited her to Colombia. He accused foreign intelligence agencies of interfering in the region.
Maduro was captured by US Delta Force operatives after intelligence support from inside the Venezuelan government.
Asked how Colombia would respond to a US attack, Petro said he prefers dialogue.
“We don’t even have anti-aircraft defences,” he said. “We rely on our people, our mountains and our jungles.”
Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine producer. It also holds major reserves of oil, coal and precious minerals.
Trump has accused Petro of links to drug trafficking. Petro denied the claim.
“For 20 years I have fought drug cartels,” he said. “My family paid the price.”
Petro said his “total peace” strategy combines dialogue with armed groups and military pressure on those who reject talks.
Critics say cocaine production has reached record levels. Petro insists growth is slowing and violence is declining in key regions.
As tensions rise, Petro said continued dialogue is the only way to defuse the crisis.
“The alternative,” he warned, “is isolation and conflict.”
