President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
