Colombia’s president tests how far Latin America can go in confronting Trump-era policies
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who also leads CELAC, used this week’s CELAC–EU summit to call for global unity against what he described as “barbarism,” urging cooperation, dialogue and the possibility of a “global democracy and a free humanity.”
According to Alfie Pannell of Latin America Reports, Petro’s remarks were a "thinly veiled" criticism of what he views as the Trump administration’s actions.
However, Petro faces growing domestic frustration, with critics arguing he is more focused on international issues — including Palestine, Trump’s policies, and the war in Ukraine — than on Colombia’s priorities, potentially jeopardising the country’s crucial trade relationship with the United States.
His recent suspension of intelligence cooperation with the U.S. over its campaign against alleged drug boats has added to tensions, and as world leaders meet at COP30 in Brazil, questions remain about whether Petro’s global message will resonate.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
