Colombian President Gustavo Petro has warned of a “real threat” of US military action against the country. He made the comments in an interview with the BBC, citing recent remarks by US President Donald Trump about a potential operation in Colombia.

Petro said the United States treats other countries as part of its “empire” and risks becoming isolated from the world. He also criticised US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), accusing agents of acting like “Nazi brigades” and of killing US citizens during enforcement operations.

The warning came after Trump described a military operation in Colombia as “sounds good” following the US seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Petro said the phone call with Trump was largely dominated by discussions on drug trafficking, Colombia’s position on Venezuela, and broader Latin American affairs.

Protests erupted across Colombia in response to Trump’s remarks. Petro said the comments threaten Colombia’s sovereignty and cited the country’s history of foreign interventions as a concern. He stressed that dialogue remains the preferred method to resolve tensions but said Colombia is prepared to defend itself using its terrain and population if needed.

Colombia is a major cocaine producer and holds significant reserves of oil, coal, and precious metals. Petro denied allegations linking him to drug trafficking and highlighted his two-decade-long fight against cartels.

The president said his “total peace” strategy balances dialogue with armed groups and targeted military action against those who reject peace, leading to a reduction in coca cultivation and homicides in parts of southern Colombia.

Petro also confirmed talks with Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez to prevent covert operations on Colombian soil.

With inputs from BBC