Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at similar military action against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
The country for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, which a large part of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.