President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
