Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
