Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
