Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.