Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
