Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which many of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
