Petro Reignites Feud with Trump, Blasting US Policy

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has renewed his sharp criticism of US policy, ending a brief diplomatic truce that followed a phone call with President Donald Trump earlier this week.

In a Thursday interview with the BBC, Petro accused Washington of treating other nations as part of a "US empire." He also leveled a severe charge against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), comparing its agents to "Nazi brigades."

This return to a confrontational stance marks a sharp reversal from the tone struck just days ago, highlighting the volatile relationship between the two leaders.

A Brief Truce After a Direct Call

The temporary de-escalation began after Petro and Trump held their first phone conversation. Petro described the call as an opportunity to address what he called the US president's "misconceptions" about drug trafficking.

The discussion appeared productive. Trump stated it was an honor to speak with Petro and that he appreciated his tone. Following the call, Petro told supporters in Bogota that he had intended to deliver a "tough" speech critical of Trump but would now soften his language.

However, for the firebrand former guerrilla, this moderation proved short-lived.

"Nazi Brigades": Petro's Sharp Reversal

In his interview with the BBC, Petro's criticism was unambiguous. He claimed the threat of US military intervention in Colombia was real, citing a history of US violence against his country at the beginning of the 20th century.

His most pointed comments targeted US immigration enforcement, made in response to an ICE officer shooting and killing a woman in Minneapolis. The incident had already triggered demonstrations across the United States.

"For us, ICE operates the same way as the Nazi and Italian fascist brigades," Petro said. "They no longer just persecute Latin Americans in the streets, which for us is an affront, but they also kill US citizens."

In a separate, more measured interview with CBS News published Friday, Petro noted areas of alignment. He said that he and Trump share a similar vision for a power-sharing arrangement in Venezuela between the government of acting President Delcy Rodríguez and the opposition.

Still, he warned that a US attack on Colombia would be a "dumb policy" that could ignite a civil war. The two presidents are scheduled for a face-to-face meeting at the White House in the first week of February.

A Contrast with Regional Leftist Leaders

Petro's foreign policy approach, often characterized by combative late-night social media posts, sets him apart from other leftist presidents in Latin America. Leaders like Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum and Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have generally adopted more measured tactics, seeking to avoid direct conflict with the Trump administration.

Petro's defiance was on full display last week. After Trump mentioned the possibility of military action against Colombia following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Petro called Trump senile and challenged him, saying, "Come and get me!"

A History of Clashes Over Drugs and Sanctions

The friction between the two leaders is rooted in long-standing issues beyond personality clashes. Trump has consistently complained about record levels of cocaine production in Colombia.

These tensions have led to significant diplomatic and economic consequences. Last year, the US government added Colombia to its list of rogue drug-trafficking nations. Washington also canceled Petro's visa after he urged Colombian troops to disobey orders from Trump.

In a more direct move, the US Treasury sanctioned Petro and members of his inner circle in October, effectively cutting him off from the US financial system.