The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
