President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
