Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
