President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Answer
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
