Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
