President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and selling it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way connected to the business.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly since Trump was elected.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted 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 expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed some years as a young man belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in creating a new constitution in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
