President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous military action against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
