President Trump along with Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats and Accusations
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, who was elected in 2022, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, which a large part of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
Petro spent some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, but voices spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
