Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
