President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries after US forces struck Venezuela to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs drug factories and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the trade.
A Frayed Relationship
This nation for decades served as a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded following a landmark accord.
The President's Firm Response
Upon being questioned if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he declared.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. And should they arrest me, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Fighter to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
The US withdrew his travel authorization subsequent to he encouraged US troops to disobey any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his wife and several associates.
At the same time the US was building up its troop levels in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
