The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
