The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
