Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
