President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
