Donald Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
