The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader hinted at similar military action against Colombia, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain the president, which many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
