The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening strains bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, claiming the nation faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval from American politicians, but relations have soured markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life belonging in the left-wing M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in creating a new constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's personal security had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of a US attack against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities cancelled Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. In October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out attacks against vessels in Pacific waters near Colombia.
