Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly after Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Months later, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
