The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
