Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
