Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
