President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
