The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated markedly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have denounced the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
