President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
