Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted 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 expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
