The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
