The US President and Colombia's president have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump threatened similar use of force against Bogotá, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Strained Partnership
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing in Washington, yet ties have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a large part of Colombians admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion against their nation.
Political and Economic Strains
The US revoked Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, the first lady and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
