President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
