The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
