The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable military action against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
