The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically since Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Answer
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
