Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
