The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, which many of the population admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
