Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and “run by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
