Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the president, 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 Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
