President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
