President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Answer
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
