The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous military action against Colombia, stating the country is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain me, which many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump's stance, but voices spanning Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
