The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
