The US President along with Colombia's president have turned up the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out strikes on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
