Colombian President Petro Calls for Texas to Be ‘Returned’ to Mexico [WATCH]

Colombian President Gustavo Petro sparked international attention after publicly asserting that the United States should “return” Texas to Mexico, comments he made during an official event in Caracas.

Petro linked the historical claim to oil resources, arguing that Mexico could reclaim what he described as territory and resources taken without compensation following the 19th-century conflict between the two countries, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

According to accounts of the remarks, Petro referenced the 1846–1848 war between the United States and Mexico, after which Mexico ceded large portions of territory, including what is now Texas.

During his speech, Petro suggested that the land and its associated resources, particularly oil, should be symbolically recovered, framing the issue as a matter of historical redress.

⚡️- Colombian President Gustavo Petro:

“Texas is an invaded territory. It wasn’t sold; it was invaded — the same goes for California and the entire southern United States.

There, a Latin American president can’t say, “Give it back. They stole it from us.” But Trump can… pic.twitter.com/gAHTwG0Gys

— Monitor (@MonitorX99800) December 19, 2025

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

The comments were delivered at a public event in the Venezuelan capital and quickly circulated in diplomatic and media circles.

Observers noted that the remarks revived long-settled historical disputes that were resolved under international law more than a century ago.

Texas, which currently has a population exceeding 29 million people and a gross domestic product of more than $2 trillion, plays a central role in U.S. energy production.

The state is a major contributor to domestic oil and gas output and is considered a critical component of U.S. energy independence and national security.

The issue of territorial claims was formally resolved with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. Under the terms of the treaty, Mexico ceded more than 2.3 million square kilometers of land to the United States.

The agreement included financial compensation to Mexico and was recognized internationally, establishing the modern border between the two nations. Legal scholars widely recognize the treaty as final and binding.

While the Trump administration has not issued a formal response to Petro’s remarks, national security advisors have emphasized that statements questioning U.S. territorial integrity can be interpreted as direct challenges to American sovereignty.

Officials have also noted that the United States considers the matter of Texas and other ceded territories legally closed under international law.

Petro’s comments come amid ongoing political and economic instability in Venezuela, where inflation has reportedly exceeded 300 percent, fuel shortages persist, and large numbers of citizens have migrated to neighboring countries.

Analysts have pointed out that geopolitical rhetoric often emerges during periods of domestic strain in the region.

If Trump wants to return the “stolen” Venezuelan oil, he should first return the “stolen” southern states of the USA – said the President of Colombia

In his opinion, Texas, California, and the entire south of the United States are territories that were seized by force, rather… pic.twitter.com/WpLXquJUQ2

— Sprinter Press (@SprinterPress) December 20, 2025

No formal diplomatic action has been announced following the remarks, and there has been no indication from U.S. officials that Petro’s statements will alter existing policy or relations.

The United States continues to recognize Texas as an integral part of the country, governed under the Constitution and protected under federal law.

Petro has not clarified whether his remarks were intended as a policy proposal or a symbolic statement, but the comments have nonetheless drawn attention due to their reference to settled international agreements and the strategic importance of Texas to the United States.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.