Donald Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
