Donald Trump and Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions in their relations following American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Talking to the press on Sunday, the American leader suggested comparable armed intervention towards the South American nation, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and distributing it to America."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally involved in the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation was historically a key ally of the United States in the struggle against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in the US capital, yet ties have worsened dramatically following Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by criminal organizations such as the Golf Clan, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.
Petro's Defiant Answer
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the president, whom a large part of the population loves and respects, they will unleash the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to Statesman
The president dedicated part of his youth participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital before being elected president.
"I made a vow not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I would take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Widespread Rejection
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the national leader's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on American soldiers to disobey unlawful commands. In October, authorities imposed asset freezes targeting Petro, the first lady and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its forces in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.