Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Claims
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump threatened similar military action towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly following Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded after a landmark accord.
Petro's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of Colombians admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Cross-Political Opposition
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and several associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
