Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened similar use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
