Donald Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the tone of their exchange, increasing strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations including one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Response
In response to a query if military intervention like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, which a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth as a member in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He served as mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the president’s personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged American soldiers to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels in the Caribbean and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
