The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the US president threatened comparable armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
The country for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign combating drug cartels and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
