The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
