The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains 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 illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Response
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
The US withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
