President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured markedly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he called on American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
At the same time as the US increased its troop levels in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
