Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
