President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume arms again," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
