The US President and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains bilaterally after US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for the homeland I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
