Colombia has formally joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global infrastructure and investment program to enhance trade and connectivity across continents.
President Gustavo Petro announced the decision following a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 14, 2025. The decision entails deepening ties with China, but it has sparked concerns from the United States, Colombia’s long-standing ally.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), where Petro emphasised that joining the BRI would reduce Colombia’s economic dependence on the United States.
“The history of our foreign relations changes,” Petro stated on the social media platform X, highlighting the potential for enhanced trade and infrastructure development with China.
Colombia becomes the latest Latin American nation to join the BRI, following 21 others, including Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Venezuela. The initiative, launched by President Xi in 2013, has seen over 150 countries participate, with China investing billions in projects such as roads, ports, railways, and digital networks.
For Colombia, the BRI offers opportunities for infrastructure development and increased exports, particularly as China has become the country’s second-largest trading partner and largest source of imports, surpassing the U.S. in recent years.
Colombian Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia described the decision as “the boldest step in decades” for the nation’s foreign policy, emphasising potential benefits in trade, investment, and energy sectors. President Xi expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, urging both nations to leverage Colombia’s inclusion in the “Belt and Road Initiative family” to enhance cooperation.
However, the move has raised concerns among Colombia’s industrial and trade associations, which have historically aligned with U.S. commercial interests. Critics worry that closer ties with China could disrupt Colombia’s economy and strain relations with the U.S., particularly amid heightened U.S.-China tensions in Latin America.
U.S. Opposition to Colombia’s Decision
The United States has strongly opposed Colombia’s decision to join the BRI, viewing it as a geopolitical manoeuvre by China to expand its influence in Latin America, a region of strategic significance for Washington.
The U.S. has long considered Latin America part of its sphere of influence. China’s growing economic presence, surpassing the U.S. as the top trading partner for countries like Brazil, Peru, and Chile, has heightened concerns about diminishing American dominance.
U.S. opposition stems from several key concerns:
Geopolitical Rivalry: The BRI is seen as a tool for China to extend its strategic influence, potentially at the expense of U.S. interests. Washington fears that Colombia’s participation could align the country more closely with Beijing, weakening U.S. leverage in the region. This concern is amplified by recent U.S. actions, such as pressuring Panama to exit the BRI in February 2025, which was described by China as U.S. “sabotage” and “coercion.”
Economic Dependence on China: Critics in the U.S. and Colombia warn that BRI projects often lead to debt burdens for participating countries, increasing their reliance on China. The U.S. argues that Colombia risks becoming overly dependent on Chinese investment, which could compromise its sovereignty and economic stability.
Trade Tensions: Colombia’s decision comes at a time of strained U.S.-Colombia trade relations, exacerbated by U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of a 10% tariff on Colombian exports. Petro has criticised the U.S. for these protectionist measures and for what he claims is a lack of respect for Colombia’s sacrifices in counternarcotics efforts, which he says have cost 200,000 Colombian lives. Joining the BRI is seen as a retaliatory move to diversify trade partners and reduce reliance on the U.S. market.
Security Concerns: The U.S. has raised national security concerns about Chinese-backed infrastructure projects, particularly in strategic areas like ports and digital networks, which could be used to expand China’s intelligence or military presence. Former Colombian President Iván Duque, a vocal critic of the BRI, argued that joining the initiative could subject Colombia to China’s strategic interests, undermining its independence in international relations.
Washington’s warnings have been explicit. Posts on X indicate that the U.S. threatened trade retaliation if Colombia proceeded with its BRI plans, reflecting broader anxieties about Latin America’s growing ties with China.
The U.S. has also pointed to Panama’s withdrawal from the BRI as a “victory” for its strategy to counter Chinese influence, suggesting that Colombia’s decision could prompt further diplomatic or economic pressure.
Domestic and Regional Implications
The decision has sparked debate within Colombia. Supporters of Petro’s administration view the BRI as a pathway to economic diversification and infrastructure modernisation, aligning with Petro’s vision of a multipolar world. However, opposition leaders, including Duque, have called the move “irresponsible,” warning that it could jeopardise Colombia’s stability and its historically strong ties with the U.S.
Regionally, Colombia’s accession to the BRI underscores China’s growing clout in Latin America, where two-thirds of countries have joined the initiative. The move could encourage other nations to deepen ties with Beijing, further reshaping the geopolitical landscape in the Americas.
Looking Ahead
As Colombia embarks on its BRI partnership, the nation faces a delicate balancing act. While the initiative promises economic opportunities, it risks straining relations with the U.S. at a time of heightened global trade tensions.
Petro has expressed hope that the U.S. will continue to treat Colombia as an equal partner, but Washington’s opposition suggests that bilateral relations may face challenges in the coming months.
For now, Colombia’s decision signals a new chapter in its foreign policy, one that prioritises diversification and alignment with emerging global powers. Whether this gamble pays off economically or escalates tensions with the U.S. remains to be seen.
Sources: The Hindu, Colombia Reports, Fortune Asia, The Indian Express, Dialogue Earth