Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
This nation was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
