The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
