The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
