Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
