The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
