The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
