Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar military action against Bogotá, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who likes making the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
