President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
