The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
