BOGOTA, Colombia – Colombian President Gustavo Petro has proposed a union with Venezuela in response to the increasing military presence of the United States in the Caribbean. This idea aims to recreate Gran Colombia, a republic established in 1821 that included present-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. While analysts and political insiders have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of this proposal, it highlights the deteriorating relationship between Washington and Bogota, which has historically been a close ally of the U.S. in the region.

Petro's remarks come amid a contentious relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently imposed sanctions on Petro and his associates, accusing him of being "an illegal drug dealer" without providing evidence. In a passionate speech last week, Petro criticized Trump's actions in South America, which have included tariffs and military strikes against alleged drug trafficking boats, resulting in over 70 deaths since September.

"America is not a continent of kings or princesses, princes or despots," Petro stated, referring to Trump's military maneuvers in the region. He added, "Every dictator who has appeared here has faced rebellion. Isn’t it time, then, to talk about Gran Colombia again?" Petro framed the proposed union as a means to resist U.S. aggression, drawing parallels to the revolutionary efforts of independence leader Simon Bolívar against Spanish colonial rule.

The following day, Petro reiterated his proposal on social media, stating, "I propose to the peoples inhabiting this territory demarcated in 1819 to realize … the reconstruction of this idea … of a Gran Colombia."

Despite Petro's enthusiasm, his interior minister, Armando Benedetti, characterized the proposal as largely symbolic. Benedetti remarked, "It is very difficult to imagine that five or six countries … with so-called solid democracies, will somehow come together to form a single country."

Sergio Guzmán, director of Colombia Risk Analysis, also questioned the practicality of the proposal, describing it as part of Petro's long-standing aspirations. Guzmán noted that the concept of Gran Colombia and Bolívar's legacy are significant to Petro's leftist ideology. He stated, "Petro shares that sort of Bolivarian vision of a grand unity … and will strive for this, regardless of what anybody says and thinks, because this is part of his political identity."

Relations between Petro and Trump have been strained since Trump took office in January. Tensions escalated in September when the Trump administration began military operations against drug boats and decertified Colombia as a partner in the war on drugs. During a visit to New York later that month, Petro had his U.S. visa revoked after he urged American troops to disobey orders related to the war in Gaza.

In October, Petro intensified his criticism of Trump, accusing him of "murder" following a military strike that he claimed killed an innocent Colombian fisherman. In retaliation, Trump labeled Petro as "an illegal drug dealer" and added him to the Clinton List of sanctioned individuals, freezing the U.S. assets of Petro, his family, and Minister Benedetti.

Guzmán commented on the current state of bilateral relations, stating, "I don’t think it can get any worse … and I don’t think it’s gonna get any better."