President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
