Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
