The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Answer
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
