President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions in their relations after American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump suggested similar use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a close partner of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups including the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members demobilised following a landmark accord.
The President's Strong Answer
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. If they capture the president, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating with the radical M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing a new constitution in 1991 and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across Colombian politics have denounced the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization after he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and several close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
