The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture me, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions against the president, the first lady and various associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
