The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
