The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
