The US President along with Colombia's president have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs narcotics facilities and production sites and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Firm Response
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.