The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Response
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom many of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
