Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
