The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Colombia, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
