The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Colombia, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Answer
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
