The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Accusations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he urged US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
