President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, which many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
