The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
