Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
