The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the US president threatened similar use of force against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query if armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
