The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest me, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
