President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the tone of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He operates cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the US president suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who likes making narcotics and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a key ally of Washington in the fight combating drug cartels and received cross-party backing from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms after a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture me, which many of the population admires and supports, they will unleash the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to President
He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I pledged not to touch a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume weapons once more," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Cross-Political Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief announced that the president’s protection team had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Strains
Washington revoked the president's entry visa following he called on US troops to refuse orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, his wife and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.
