President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
