Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
