Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar armed intervention against Colombia, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
