Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
