The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he called on American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
