President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
