Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
