Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous military action against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
