The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
