President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
