President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and various key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
