President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain me, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
