The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
