President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions between the two countries following American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Tensions and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, stating the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
Colombia has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and received wide political approval from American politicians, yet ties have worsened markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, most of its former fighters laid down arms subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he posted in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. If they capture me, whom a significant portion of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow not to touch a gun ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he vowed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the president’s protection team had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with the US president, but voices from all sides of the political spectrum have condemned the notion of American military action on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
Washington cancelled the president's entry visa following he encouraged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, his wife and a number of associates.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
