The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains bilaterally after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the business.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Answer
When asked whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US troops to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
