Colombian President Takes Aim at Donald Trump

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has declared that the concepts of “peace through strength” and a “rules-based international order” have failed.

In an article published by Time magazine on the occasion of the summit between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union, held on November 9–10 in Santa Marta, Colombia, Petro argued that “the international order based on rules is collapsing.”

“The appalling conflicts that the ‘peace through strength’ policy — promoted by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump — failed to resolve have become the norm in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa,” he emphasized.

Petro also condemned Donald Trump’s climate policy, stating: “Unlike the United States, which has turned its back on multilateralism and scientific consensus on climate issues, the countries of CELAC and the European Union have remained committed to collective efforts and have the capacity to set things right.”

The Colombian leader, who is co-chairing the summit with European Council President António Costa, noted that “CELAC and the European Union together account for more than 21 percent of global GDP. We are not isolated trees bending in the wind. We must face the storm,” he said.

Petro further renewed his criticism of Donald Trump’s threats and sanctions, calling him the “drug lord.”

“Colombia rejects this baseless accusation,” he insisted, adding that “these actions are nothing more than political theater.”

The Colombian president announced that his administration had achieved record levels in cocaine seizures.

He added that he would continue his policy of “total peace” and cooperation with the European Union in the fight against drug trafficking, stressing that “the so-called war on drugs has failed.”

In conclusion, Petro stated that “what truly serves humanity’s interests is not conflict or the division of the world into spheres of influence, but cooperation.”