President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Response
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and a number of associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
