Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
