Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
