President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
