‘To stop a world war’: Colombia’s Petro ups the stakes before Trump talks

Bogotá: Colombian President Gustavo Petro has escalated his rhetoric ahead of a planned White House meeting with US President Donald Trump, warning that rising militarisation in South America could spiral into a broader conflict if not addressed through dialogue.

In an interview with CBS News, Petro said his objective in meeting Trump was to help avert a wider regional crisis, citing growing military pressure and instability across northern South America. He expressed concern about Colombia’s vulnerability, noting the country lacks a comprehensive air defence system and would be exposed if tensions were to escalate further.

Petro’s remarks come amid a sharper US posture in the region, particularly towards Venezuela, alongside renewed efforts by Washington to clamp down on drug trafficking networks and influence energy exports. Colombian officials say Petro has urged closer cooperation with the United States to target armed groups operating along the long and porous Colombia–Venezuela border, including remnants of guerrilla organisations involved in cocaine smuggling.

The Colombian leader has also publicly called for coordination with Venezuelan authorities to jointly confront cross-border criminal groups, framing cooperation as a way to avoid confrontation and wider instability. According to officials, Petro and Trump recently discussed taking joint action against armed groups active in border areas, with Bogotá seeking stronger international backing against insurgent networks.

Trump is expected to host Petro at the White House in early February, with the talks likely to focus on regional security, drug trafficking, and the shifting balance of power in South America, as concerns grow over whether rising tensions could trigger broader unrest.