President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
