President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
