President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Answer
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, rejected these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled his travel authorization after he encouraged US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
