In the clash between Donald Trump and Gustavo Petro, the questioned Colombian leader is currently prevailing. The reasons are clear; there are behavioral indicators and actions that reveal his intentions. Those who believed in his change-oriented proposal made a misstep because this controversial figure has not overcome his evident traits of social resentment and destructiveness, his communist doctrine (despite living like a capitalist), and his guerrilla philosophy.
Starting from who Petro is, it is clear that in the battle against Donald Trump, he is winning primarily because he does not care what happens to Colombians, especially not the business sector if they were to lose their trade advantages with the United States (EUA). That is to say, if desertification is applied, it matters little to him because it affects the most powerful sector of Colombia.
In simpler terms, the sanctions from the Trump administration would impact one of his adversaries. He does not mind if the country ends up in an economic crisis; for instance, that is likely to occur with the recently approved 2026 budget. This budget, despite being the largest in history, poses a significant lack of financing aimed at strengthening controlled “sheep” via aid and corruption, allowing for the buying of votes and financing the campaigns of Pacto Histórico candidates.
Secondly, the severance of U.S. funding for security forces fighting, against all odds, against drug trafficking controlled by the guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) is no secret in Colombia. This situation favours Petro, who has transformed these institutions into “Chinese vases.” With Trump’s decision, it would neutralize the little information left for American intelligence agencies in their fight against drug trafficking.
Petro never wore a mask, nor did Hugo Chávez or Nicolás Maduro. They have clear objectives: to use force, laws, and global narratives to support their plans (as seen with Hamas and Hezbollah) and the conveniences of democracy to gain power and then maintain it, which has been their common practice for decades.
Trump’s forceful actions are revitalizing the outdated anti-imperialist discourse circulating worldwide, demonstrated by both Lula and Petro. The support from the U.S. to Javier Milei was crucial for defeating Peronism, but leftists work long-term, penetrating key areas of societies to solidify their narratives, including education to saturate them with resentment and communist theories, as they do in universities, the judiciary, and unions.
Colombia is the best example; Petro reached power through violence against Iván Duque (2018-2022), has reinforced leaks to justice and education, and has put the country in the orbit of Islamic jihad (notable are the violent pro-Palestinian protests financed by his government). The communist global narrative, attempts to undermine Álvaro Uribe, and the murder of Miguel Uribe communicate strong messages to the opposition.
His rise to power was a long-term plan, facilitated by figures like Juan Manuel Santos and César Gaviria, who unscrupulously prevented justice from sanctioning him for his crimes and corruption. Connections can be made with the assassination of Luis Carlos Galán (August 18, 1989), ordered by Pablo Escobar in collusion with the liberal party elite through one of their political pawns, Alberto Santofimio Botero. This high-profile murder enabled César Gaviria’s ascent to the presidency.
While Trump remains focused on his negotiations, basing his global policy on tariffs that will soon have adverse effects, the issues confronting the U.S. go far beyond mere economics and penetrate into its social soul. It’s not just about targeting immigrants, mostly Latin Americans, seeking better living conditions. Additionally, addressing the drug issue is more than simply placing ships in the Caribbean or Pacific Ocean and claiming to end narcotic trafficking; this raises the question: what will happen to millions of consumers—will they magically recover?
Trump’s view of the problem extends beyond his borders is misguided. Thus, his leadership in rescuing democracy is questionable given his poor examples, abusive use of force, lies (note the ceasefire in Gaza), institutional breakdowns (threats against governors, mayors, and the judiciary), autocracy, and human rights violations against immigrants.
Objectively, readers should analyze whom Trump’s actions regarding Colombia benefit. With less than a year until the presidential elections in Colombia, it’s worth evaluating whether it’s favorable to concede intelligence spaces, understanding that many military and police are opposed to the job neutralization that Petro has initiated.
These decisions also impact the private sector, which balances Petro’s government. A resentful, corrupt, degenerate, and genocidal leader has exploited the eroded values in Colombian society to create the chaos experienced in every city, dismantling public transport and enterprises like Ecopetrol and coal companies that should generate revenue for tackling poverty, inequality, infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
Petro is not interested in Colombia; he only cares about power. Recent evidence is how he utilizes public resources that should be allocated to crucial issues in marginalized sectors: his Historical Pact consultation cost 200 billion pesos, and corruption within his government is frequent, with justice never delivered. Trump’s actions simply justify the FSP narrative; now it makes sense when the hypocrite and accomplice of Hugo Chávez’s misdeeds, José Pepe Mujica, stated that the future FSP leader was Gustavo Petro.
Cupertino Flores