The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
