President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
