President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President 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 the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
