Colombia Warns of Real Threat of US Military Action

Colombia’s president has warned that the country is facing a real threat of US military action against Colombia, as relations between Bogotá and Washington remain tense despite recent diplomatic contact.

In an interview with the BBC, President Gustavo Petro said recent statements by US President Donald Trump, combined with expanded immigration enforcement and US military activity in the region, have raised serious concerns within Colombia’s government.

Petro said the United States increasingly views other nations through an “imperial” lens — an approach he warned could ultimately isolate Washington from the rest of the world.

Trump Remarks Deepen Colombia US Tensions

Tensions escalated after President Trump suggested that a military operation targeting Colombia “sounds good,” following recent US action in Venezuela and the seizure of Nicolás Maduro.

Trump has also repeatedly used aggressive language toward Petro on social media, including telling him to “watch his ass” — comments the Colombian leader strongly condemned.

Although the two presidents spoke by phone on Wednesday evening, Petro said the call did little to reduce concerns about a possible US military action against Colombia.

“The conversation lasted less than an hour,” Petro told the BBC, “and most of it was me explaining Colombia’s position on drug trafficking, Venezuela, and US policy in Latin America.”

Criticism of ICE and Immigration Crackdown

Petro also strongly criticised the expansion of US immigration enforcement, accusing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents of acting like “Nazi brigades.”

The Trump administration says the crackdown targets crime and undocumented immigration. According to US government data, more than 605,000 people were deported in 2025, while nearly two million others voluntarily left the country following a nationwide awareness campaign.

As of late November, around 65,000 people were being held in ICE detention facilities, according to data compiled by Syracuse University.

Tensions intensified further this week after a US immigration agent shot dead a 37-year-old US citizen in Minneapolis, triggering protests across the city.

Federal officials said the woman attempted to run over agents, while the city’s mayor described the shooting as reckless and demanded ICE agents leave Minneapolis.

Petro said incidents like this show how far enforcement has gone.

“It no longer only targets Latin Americans,” he said. “It now kills United States citizens.”

‘An Empire Becomes Isolated’

Petro warned that continued aggression could push the United States into global isolation.

“If this continues,” he said, “the United States will move from dominating the world to being isolated from it. Empires are not built by cutting themselves off.”

He added that Latin American nations have long been treated as subordinate to US interests, often without regard for international law.

Colombia’s Response to Military Threats

Asked how Colombia would respond in the event of a US military action against Colombia, Petro said his preference remained dialogue over confrontation.

Colombia lacks advanced air-defence systems and would not attempt to match US military power directly, he said.

“Our strength has always been our people, our mountains, and our jungles,” Petro said. “That is how Colombia has survived history.”

He cited Colombia’s loss of territory in the 20th century, including Panama, as a reason Trump’s comments are being taken seriously.

Venezuela, Intelligence Agencies, and Regional Pressure

Petro confirmed he recently spoke with Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, and invited her to Colombia.

He accused foreign intelligence agencies of interference across the region, saying Colombia only permits cooperation related to combating drug trafficking.

Petro did not directly address whether he feared covert operations similar to those used in Venezuela, where US forces captured Nicolás Maduro with intelligence support.

Following that operation, the US said it would indefinitely control sales of Venezuelan oil as it reviews restrictions on global crude markets.

Drug Trade and Colombia’s ‘Total Peace’ Policy

Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine — a fact often cited by US officials.

Trump has accused Petro of being complicit in drug trafficking, calling him a “sick man” who profits from cocaine exports. Petro denied the claim, saying he has spent decades fighting drug cartels and that his family was forced into exile because of it.

Since taking office, Petro has pursued a “total peace” strategy focused on dialogue with armed groups. Critics say the approach has been ineffective, pointing to record cocaine production.

Petro acknowledged challenges but said coca cultivation growth is slowing and violence has declined in several regions.

“We are not naive,” he said. “We know who we are negotiating with. The goal is to reduce violence, not ignore reality.”

Uncertain Diplomatic Future

Despite heated rhetoric, Petro said the possibility of easing tensions depends on continued dialogue between Bogotá and Washington.

For now, protests have taken place across Colombia in defence of national sovereignty, as fears grow that diplomatic tensions could escalate into a direct confrontation involving US military action against Colombia.

FAQ’s

Q1. Why is Colombia warning about a US military threat?

Colombian President Gustavo Petro says recent comments by Donald Trump and US military actions in Venezuela suggest a real risk, not just political talk.

Q2. What did Trump say that increased tensions with Colombia?

Trump said a military operation against Colombia “sounds good” and used aggressive language toward President Petro, which Colombia sees as a serious warning.

Q3. How does US immigration enforcement affect Colombia–US relations?

Petro strongly criticised ICE operations in the US, especially after a US citizen was killed during an immigration action, calling the approach dangerous and excessive.

Q4. Is the US planning military action against Colombia?

There is no official confirmation from the White House, but Colombia says the language and recent US actions make the threat feel credible.

Q5. How is Colombia responding to the situation?

Petro says Colombia prefers dialogue, but warns that if threatened, the country would rely on its people, history, and geography rather than military force.

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