Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
