President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
