The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar military action against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
