The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
