President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
