The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
