President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, increasing strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Threats coupled with Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to America."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and received cross-party backing in the US capital, however, the relationship have worsened markedly after Trump came to office.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by guerrilla factions like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Firm Response
Upon being questioned whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and I am not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, which many of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have rejected the notion of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Sanctions
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
