President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
