Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Threats and Accusations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous military action against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US revoked his travel authorization after he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
