President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
