Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group 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 Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
