The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at comparable military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
