The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous use of force against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
When asked if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain me, which many of the population admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, however, leaders spanning the political spectrum have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
The US cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
