The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested similar military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US troops to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
