The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
