Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the business.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
