The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
