Colombian President Gustavo Petro has warned that sustained U.S. pressure on Latin American leaders who dissent from Washington could spark a regional "rebellion," he told Spanish newspaper El Pais in an interview published on Saturday.
Petro, a former member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla, has had a contentious relationship with U.S. authorities. The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control compiled a sanctions list that includes Petro, citing alleged involvement in the global illicit drug trade. In his remarks to El Pais, the president accused the OFAC sanctions of being wielded as a political instrument to extort "those of us who espouse dissenting politics."
He likened the current dynamic to an old monarchical system, saying, "Its a system like the one the Spanish king had a few centuries ago. And what was Latin Americas response? Rebellion. Thats what will happen now if the U.S. government isnt capable of rethinking its ties to Latin America."
Petro also pointed to a January operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, saying the U.S. bombing of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, in that operation instilled fear in many leaders across the region.
Despite public disputes with U.S. officials, Petro described his personal relationship with President Donald Trump as good. He said the two had spoken twice recently and that those conversations helped dispel inaccurate narratives about each other. Petro emphasized he did not travel to Washington to "get on his knees to beg" but instead met with Trump as equals.
Petro was elected president in 2022 and is due to leave office in August, as Colombias constitution bars presidents from serving more than a single term. He traveled to Barcelona to attend a summit alongside the leaders of Spain, Brazil and Mexico.
In the interview, Petro framed his comments on sanctions and the potential for a regional backlash in stark terms, while also stressing the importance of direct dialogue between heads of state. He pointed to fear among regional leaders following the reported U.S. operation in Caracas, and reiterated that his bilateral engagement with Trump had been frank and dignified.
Context limitations: The interview reflects Petros perspective as presented to El Pais; it does not include additional comment from U.S. officials or other regional leaders in this reporting.