Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, which many of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
