The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened similar military action against Colombia, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
