The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
