Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
