The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
