President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
