President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
