The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
