President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, increasing tensions bilaterally following American military units targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened dramatically since Trump came to office.
The nation's illicit drug economy is predominantly run by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Answer
In response to a query whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and I am not a narco," he affirmed.
"He comments without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I swore to abstain from using a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his wife and several associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
