The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Response
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
