The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
