The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
