President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
