President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
