The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable military action against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
