President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
