The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
