Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
