Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
