The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Answer
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
