The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the president, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
