Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
