Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar military action against Colombia, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
