The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar military action against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
