Colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced plans to sign a letter of intent to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The decision, revealed ahead of Petro’s upcoming visit to China, has sparked concerns about strained relations with the United States, Colombia’s long-standing trade and ”security” partner.
Gustavo Petro:
“Colombia must chart its own course in a multipolar world”.
According to government sources cited by major Colombian media, Petro’s week-long trip to China, set to begin this Saturday, aims to strengthen bilateral relations and explore opportunities for cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and technology.
The BRI, launched by China in 2013, is a global infrastructure and investment strategy designed to enhance connectivity across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.
Around 140 countries, including 21 in Latin America such as Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru, have joined the BRI initiative.
“Joining the Belt and Road Initiative represents an opportunity for Colombia to diversify its economic partnerships and invest in critical infrastructure,” Petro said. He emphasized the potential for Chinese investment in renewable energy, transportation, and digital connectivity, areas where Colombia seeks to modernize.
China is Colombia’s second-largest trading partner, with imports from China recently surpassing those from the United States. Major Chinese companies, including Huawei, Shein, and BYD, have expanded operations in Colombia, signalling growing economic ties.
However, the decision to align with the BRI has drawn criticism from Colombian business leaders, who question its timing and strategic value.
“Does Colombia want to do this right now? In exchange for what?” asked Bruce Mac Master, president of the National Association of Colombian Businesspeople. “How does it affect our trade allies who buy most of our exports?” Javier Diaz, president of the National Association of Foreign Trade, called the move “inconvenient,” citing potential risks to Colombia’s trade relationship with the U.S., its largest export market.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions between Bogotá and Washington, exacerbated by recent diplomatic disputes. Notably, Petro’s refusal to authorise a deportation flight for Colombian migrants shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to office triggered a significant rift, one of the most serious in decades.
The White House has expressed concern about the BRI, viewing it as a tool for China to expand its geopolitical influence. In contrast, Beijing promotes the initiative as a pathway to mutual economic development.
Colombia follows Panama’s recent withdrawal from the BRI under U.S. pressure, highlighting the balance Latin American nations face in aligning with global powers.
Petro, Colombia’s first leftist president, has framed the decision as part of a broader push for independence in foreign policy. “Colombia must chart its own course in a multipolar world,” he said, signalling a departure from the country’s historical alignment with the U.S.
Petro’s visit to China will likely set the stage for negotiations on specific projects, which could have negative or positive implications for Colombia’s economy and geopolitical position.
Sources and related
- NewsVoice: China-Europe Diplomatic Ties at 50: Prospects and Challenges
- Pressenza: Colombia Moves to Join China’s Belt and Road Initiative
- Berliner Tages Zeitung: Colombia moves to join China’s Belt and Road
- X.com The China-Global South Project