The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
