President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
