Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
