Donald Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump threatened similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in drafting a new constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
