The US President along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have worsened significantly following Trump came to office.
Its drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from across the ideological divide have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to refuse any illegal orders. Months later, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
