Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
