President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous military action towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
