Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
