President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
