Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
