The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
