Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man belonging in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s personal security was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he called on US military personnel to disobey unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and a number of associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
