Bogotá, Colombia – The leaders of Colombia, Brazil, and Chile dissented against U.S. President Donald Trump in their speeches at the 80th United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
The three presidents used their respective airtimes to criticize Washington’s policy on a range of issues, including climate change, trade sanctions and the violation of international law in Palestine and the Southern Caribbean.
Trump’s second term has brought increased U.S. intervention in Latin American affairs, putting him at odds with ideological foes on the left.
Gustavo Petro’s fiery speech
Colombia’s Gustavo Petro, who has had a turbulent relationship with the White House since Trump assumed office, used his final UN address to criticize Washington’s policy on a range of issues around the world.
He began a more than 40-minute speech by addressing the genocide in Gaza, which his government has repeatedly condemned and met with sanctions against Israel.
“Trump is complicit in the genocide, because it is a genocide and we must scream it at the top of our lungs over and over again,” said Petro.
The Colombian leader also compared Washington’s actions in Palestine to Trump’s lethal military campaign against drug trafficking boats in the Southern Caribbean, which legal experts say violates international law.
“They are launching missiles at young, unarmed people at sea… Today, the barbarism is worldwide,” said Petro, condemning U.S. military strikes on three boats which killed 17 people, according to the White House.
Colombia’s president also railed against Washington’s decision to decertify his country as a drug cooperation partner last week. He defended his record against Trump’s personal attacks on his leadership, retorting that the real drug traffickers are in New York and Miami.
Brazil’s Lula bites back against U.S. sanctions
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil’s president since 2023, has been at odds with the White House over the trial of his predecessor and close Trump ally, Jair Bolsonaro. In July, Washington sanctioned multiple Supreme Court justices presiding over the case against Bolsonaro, who was recently sentenced to 27 years in jail for a 2023 coup attempt.
In his speech at the UN General Assembly, Lula took an indirect swipe at his U.S. counterpart, hailing Brazil’s institutions for bringing Bolsonaro to justice.
Brazil’s president also took aim at the White House’s economic sanctions on his country, which now pays a 50% tariff on its exports to the United States.
“There is no justification for the unilateral and arbitrary measures against our institutions and our economy,” said Lula.
While he decried Washington’s economic warfare, Lula has so far stopped short of imposing reciprocal tariffs, but is reportedly preparing options for a response.
However, there may be hope in restoring bilateral relations, with Trump saying the two had met briefly at the UN and had “excellent chemistry,” adding that they planned to meet next week.
Gabriel Boric takes aim at Israel and Trump’s climate stance
Chile’s leftist president, Gabriel Boric, delivered an impassioned speech laden with historical references and appeals for action.
He focused on the need for peace and justice, condemning violence in Palestine, Iran, and Ukraine. Boric also called for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be tried by an international court, clashing with Washington’s staunch defense of the PM.
The Chilean leader also alluded to Trump’s comments on climate change, which the U.S. president described as the “greatest con job ever perpetrated in the world.”
“It has been claimed on this very podium today that there is no such thing as global warming. That is not an opinion, it is a lie, and we must combat lies,” affirmed Boric.
The Chilean leader is aiming to push through green legislation before his term ends next year.
Featured image description: United Nations Security Council meeting
Featured image credit: United Nations via Flickr
