The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
