Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
