Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
