Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
