The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, which many of the country loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
