The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
