President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
