Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
