The US President and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
