The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.