Colombian president Petro confronts Trump's climate stance at COP30

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has directed sharp criticism toward US President Donald Trump during his address at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, focusing on Trump's environmental policies and absence from the international gathering. The Colombian leader's remarks highlighted significant philosophical divisions in global approaches to climate change and security priorities.

Confrontation on Climate Policy

Petro specifically targeted Trump's fossil fuel advocacy and skepticism about climate science, stating that "Mr. Trump is against humanity by not coming here." He directly countered the former US president's energy platform with the declaration that "It's not drill, drill, drill; he is 100% wrong." The Colombian president framed Trump's approach as one of several "fetishes" distracting from essential environmental preservation goals.

Challenging Security Priorities

The South American leader also contested Trump's emphasis on increased military spending among NATO members, arguing that climate change represents a more urgent threat than traditional geopolitical adversaries. "It's not a defense and security problem. It's not Russia and the enemy, it's climate change," Petro asserted. He further criticized immigration policies associated with Trump's platform, drawing historical parallels that underscored the intensity of his disapproval.

Appeal to European Leaders

In his address to European counterparts, Petro warned that prioritizing defense expenditures over climate action jeopardizes future generations. He characterized the global climate situation as a "collective failure of humanity," attributing responsibility to powerful fossil fuel interests. His critique extended to nearly three decades of international climate summits that have failed to sufficiently counter what he described as the oil, coal, and gas lobbies' opposition to environmental protection measures.