Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture me, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
