President Trump and Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
