The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump remarked.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested similar military action against Bogotá, claiming the country is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
