Khaberni - Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned that US pressures on Latin American leaders who differ with it could lead to a "rebellion" against Washington's influence.
Petro, a former member of the left-wing armed movement 19 April (M-19), has verbally clashed several times with US President Donald Trump, whose administration has placed Petro on the sanctions list prepared by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Treasury Department, alleging involvement in drug trafficking.
In an interview with the Spanish newspaper "El País" published today, Saturday, Petro (age 65) said, "The sanctions of the Office of Foreign Assets Control are used as a political tool to blackmail those of us who adopt different policies."
The Colombian President, who is visiting Barcelona to attend a summit with leaders from Spain, Brazil, and Mexico, added: "It is a system similar to what was in place several centuries ago under the King of Spain."
He continued, asking, "And what was Latin America's reaction? Rebellion. And this is what will happen now if the US government is not able to reconsider its relations with Latin America."
He said, "The US bombing of the Venezuelan capital Caracas, in the operation that ended with the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro in January, instilled fear in many leaders."
However, Petro stated that his personal relationship with Trump is good. He added that they spoke twice recently and refuted false narratives about each of them, and that he did not go to Washington "to kneel and beg" but met as presidents.
Petro, who was elected in 2022, is scheduled to leave office in August, as the Constitution of Colombia prohibits holding the presidency for more than one term.
