The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
