The US President along with his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries following US forces struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable military action against Colombia, asserting the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members demobilised following a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump said: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments without information. End the false accusations," he expressed online.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain me, whom many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's personal security was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the ideological divide have denounced the notion of American military action against their nation.
Political and Financial Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he urged US military personnel to refuse orders that violate law. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and various close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
