Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
