President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
