President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the US president threatened similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the trade.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation for decades served as a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
