The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And if they detain me, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
