Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump threatened similar military action against Colombia, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
