Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom many of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
