The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
