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Colombia's Petro Warns of Latin American 'rebellion' if US Doesn't Rethink Policy
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 18, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 18, 2026
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Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned that continued U.S. pressure on dissenting Latin American leaders—including OFAC sanctions and military interventions—could spark a regional 'rebellion' against Washington’s influence. He likened the sanctions to political extortion and pointed to U.S. bombin
Petro Warns US Policy May Spark Latin American Rebellion Amid Sanctions Dispute
Colombian President Petro Criticizes US Sanctions and Predicts Regional Backlash
Petro's Warning on US Influence in Latin America
MADRID, April 18 (Reuters) - U.S. pressure on dissenting Latin American leaders could lead to a "rebellion" against Washington's influence, Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned in an interview with Spanish newspaper El Pais published on Saturday.
Background: Petro's History with US Sanctions
Clashes with US Administration
Petro, a former member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla, has frequently clashed with President Donald Trump, whose administration placed him on a sanctions list, compiled by the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, for alleged involvement in the global illicit drug trade.
Sanctions as a Political Tool
The 65-year-old, who travelled to Barcelona for a summit alongside the leaders of Spain, Brazil and Mexico, told El Pais the OFAC sanctions were being used as a political instrument to extort "those of us who espouse dissenting politics".
Historical Comparison and Rebellion Prediction
"It's a system like the one the Spanish king had a few centuries ago. And what was Latin America's response? Rebellion. That's what will happen now if the U.S. government isn't capable of rethinking its ties to Latin America," he said.
US Actions in Venezuela and Regional Impact
According to Petro, the U.S. bombing of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, in the operation to capture President Nicolas Maduro in January instilled fear in many leaders.
Petro's Relationship with Trump
However, Petro said that his personal relationship with Trump was good. The two had spoken twice recently and shattered false narratives about each other, he said, adding he had not gone to Washington to "get on his knees to beg" but they instead met as equals.
Petro's Political Future
Petro, who was elected in 2022, is set to leave office in August, as the Colombian constitution bars presidents from serving more than a single term.
(Reporting by David Latona; Editing by William Mallard)
Key Takeaways
- •Petro denounces OFAC sanctions as political tools targeting dissenting leaders, not just narco-crime measures
- •He invokes historical rebellion against colonial power, warning U.S. must rethink its Latin America policy or face backlash
- •Petro highlights the U.S. bombing of Caracas in early January—during the operation to capture Nicolás Maduro—as instilling regional fear
Frequently Asked Questions about Colombia's Petro warns of Latin American 'rebellion' if US doesn't rethink policy
1What warning did Colombia's President Gustavo Petro issue about US policy?
Petro warned that continued US pressure on Latin American leaders could lead to a rebellion against Washington's influence in the region.
2Why is Gustavo Petro critical of OFAC sanctions?
Petro claims OFAC sanctions are used as political instruments to extort leaders with dissenting politics in Latin America.
3What recent events in Venezuela does Petro mention?
Petro referenced the US bombing of Caracas to capture President Nicolas Maduro, which he said instilled fear among regional leaders.
4How does Petro describe his relationship with former President Trump?
Petro said he had a good personal relationship with Trump and that they had dispelled false narratives about each other.
5When does Gustavo Petro leave office as President of Colombia?
Petro is set to leave office in August, as Colombian presidents are limited to a single term.
