Donald Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating Colombia is “very sick too” and led by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally connected to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have worsened markedly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Response
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will become numerous insurgents in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," he admonished.
From Fighter to President
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Months later, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
