Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
