The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Answer
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
