The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically following Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture me, which a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, however, leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
