The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable military action against Colombia, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations against vessels in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.