The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
