The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
