The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and received cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
