President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
