The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, the US president hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
