President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats and Allegations
Speaking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating the drug and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia was historically a close partner of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have allied themselves with Trump's stance, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa after he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions against the president, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its forces in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
