Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, which many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
