Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested similar military action against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
