The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, increasing strains in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, it placed economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
