Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to reporters on Sunday, the American leader threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
