President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, which many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
