The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
When asked whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of the population loves and respects, they will release the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the ideological divide have condemned the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
