Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
