The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump hinted at analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by a sick man who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
