President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, increasing strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Talking to journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened analogous armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the nation is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the business.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia was historically a key ally of the US in the struggle against narcotics trade and benefited from cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by guerrilla factions such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters disbanded following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target peasants, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning president.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled his travel authorization following he urged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on maritime targets in Pacific waters near Colombia.
