President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, which many of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
