Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
