President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
