President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
