The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats and Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have deteriorated significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest me, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
