Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
