President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
