President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous military action against Colombia, claiming the country is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, which many of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of 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 shall resume the fight," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
