The US President and Colombia's president have escalated the volume of their exchange, increasing strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric coupled with Accusations
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the US president threatened similar military action against Bogotá, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
When asked if a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a narco," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to President
Petro spent a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security along with Widespread Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew his travel authorization following he urged American soldiers to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, the US enacted asset freezes on Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Simultaneously as the US increased its forces near Venezuela and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
