President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
