The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, which many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
