President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
