The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened similar military action against Bogotá, asserting the nation is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have soured markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
