The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested similar use of force against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he encouraged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
