President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
