President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
