President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was 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 arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
