The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
