Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
