Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable military action against Colombia, stating the country is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, which a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and various key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
