President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
