Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
