Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which many of the population loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
