Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
