Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Response
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
