Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which many of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
