Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
