President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable military action against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
