Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume of their exchange, further raising strains in their relations following US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Rising Rhetoric and Accusations
Addressing the press over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and selling it to the United States."
While Colombia is the globe's biggest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly tied to the trade.
A Frayed Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured dramatically since Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Strong Response
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will transform into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, which many of the population admires and supports, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
Petro spent part of his youth participating in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and later became an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
