The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture me, whom a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices spanning the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several close collaborators.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
