The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization after he urged American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
