Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president suggested similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
