President Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked his travel authorization following he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
