President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar military action against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
