The US President and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the volume of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations after US forces targeted Venezuela to remove the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, the American leader hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and led by a sick man involved in producing narcotics and distributing it to America."
Although Colombia stands as the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a close partner of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have soured significantly after Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Defiant Answer
When asked whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the last century, rejected Trump's claims. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement although reports indicate he did not took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I would take up the fight," he affirmed.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices from across the political spectrum have denounced the threats of American military action targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Economic Strains
The US cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, the US enacted economic restrictions targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
