Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
