President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
