President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
