The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Talking to journalists over the weekend, Trump threatened analogous military action against Bogotá, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with the US president, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions against the president, his spouse and several key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and striking suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
