Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
