Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
