President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening tensions in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Strained Partnership
The country was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have condemned the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, the first lady and a number of key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed attacks on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
