The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
