Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
