Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Claims
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
