The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened similar use of force against Colombia, stating the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as 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 tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Answer
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
