The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened similar use of force against Colombia, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence near Venezuela and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
