President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
