Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
