President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, stating the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making the drug and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"He comments uninformed. End the false accusations," he wrote online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom many of the country admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Broad Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed asset freezes on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces in the region and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
