The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising strains bilaterally following US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically after Trump came to office.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation like that in Venezuela was a possibility against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised decades ago, categorically refuted Trump's claims. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of the population holds in high esteem, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," Petro warned.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed part of his youth belonging with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have condemned the threats of an invasion on Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged US troops to ignore unlawful commands. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and several key allies.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the region and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
