Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
