US Military Action Threat Against Colombia – President Warns BBC
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. He said 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 governance says is a crackdown on crime and immigrants who illegally entered the US.
The BBC has approached the White House for comment.
Colombia’s President petro Accuses U.S. of Imperialism, Details Defense Strategy
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Colombian President Gustavo Petro has sharply criticized the United States, accusing it of decades of imperialistic behavior in Latin America and responding to recent threats from former President Donald Trump with a pledge to defend his nation’s sovereignty. Petro’s comments, made in a BBC interview, follow a U.S. military operation in Venezuela and escalating tensions over drug trafficking and oil resources.
Petro alleges the U.S.has consistently disregarded international law in its dealings with Latin American governments.He pointed to the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S.Delta force,aided by a CIA source,as an example of Washington’s interventionist policies. The BBC reported on the details of Maduro’s capture.
Trump’s Threats and Colombia’s Response
The conflict escalated after Trump threatened military action in Colombia, prompting demonstrations across the country. Petro characterized Trump’s remarks as a “real threat,” referencing Colombia’s historical territorial losses. He stated that ongoing conversations aim to de-escalate the situation.
When asked about Colombia’s defense capabilities against a potential U.S. attack, Petro emphasized a preference for dialog but asserted Colombia’s resilience.”Colombia’s history shows how it has responded to large armies,” he said. ”It’s not about confronting a large army with weapons we don’t have… Instead, we rely on the masses, our mountains, and our jungles, as we always have.”
Drug Trafficking and U.S. Accusations
The U.S. has also accused Petro of involvement in the drug trade, claims he vehemently denies. Trump reportedly called Petro a “sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.” Petro countered that he has spent 20 years fighting drug cartels, even at the cost of his family’s safety.
Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine and possesses significant natural resources, including oil, gold, and emeralds. The U.S. has indicated it will maintain control over Venezuelan oil sales “indefinitely,” potentially impacting global markets.
“Total Peace” Strategy and Ongoing Negotiations
Petro’s administration has pursued a “total peace” strategy, prioritizing dialogue with armed groups. While critics argue this approach has been lenient and contributed to record cocaine production,Petro maintains that negotiations are yielding positive results in southern Colombia,where coca cultivation and homicide rates are reportedly declining.
He explained a two-pronged approach: “One, talking about peace with groups that are bandits. And the other,developing a military offensive against those who don’t want peace.”
Petro also confirmed discussions with Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s acting president, and expressed concern over interference from foreign intelligence agencies within Colombia, stating such operations are limited to combating drug trafficking.