The US President and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump threatened similar military action against Colombia, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
