President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous military action against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
