President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly following Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
