President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened comparable armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised after a landmark accord.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
