Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
