President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
