The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, asserting the country faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the world’s largest source of the narcotic, no proof exists implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly since Trump was elected.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks uninformed. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. If they capture me, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders spanning the ideological divide have denounced the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various key allies.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes on boats off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
