President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested similar military action against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
