The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Threats and Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
