The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
