The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have deteriorated significantly after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
