The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and led by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the trade.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of the country loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
