President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, claiming the country is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Strains
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
