Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Response
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
