The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
