Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
