Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
