Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
