Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
