President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Claims
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable use of force against Bogotá, stating the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a key ally of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, but relations have soured dramatically after Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
In response to a query if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the last century, rejected these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain me, which many of the population holds in high esteem, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices spanning Colombian politics have condemned the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa following he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
