The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
