President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and selling it to America."
While Colombia is the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have soured markedly since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters demobilised after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the notion of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on maritime targets in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
