The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
