The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains in their relations following American military units struck Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Tensions and Claims
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is directly involved in the trade.
A Strained Partnership
This nation has long been a close partner of the US in the campaign combating drug cartels and enjoyed cross-party backing from American politicians, yet ties have deteriorated dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by guerrilla factions including the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a 2016 peace deal.
Colombia's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments uninformed. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And should they arrest me, whom a significant portion of the country loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed part of his youth as a member of the leftist M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning president.
"I swore to never again hold a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices spanning the political spectrum have denounced the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
The US revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted attacks on boats off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
