The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a landmark accord.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain me, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
