President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous military action against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including 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 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
