President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
