The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
