The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
