The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at similar use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and received wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have soured significantly after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
