Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
