Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
