Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
