Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
