The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
