The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
