President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
