Donald Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume in their verbal conflict, increasing strains bilaterally after American military units targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Allegations
Speaking to the press over the weekend, Trump threatened similar armed intervention towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia faces serious problems and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the business.
A Frayed Alliance
Colombia for decades served as a key ally of Washington in the campaign combating drug cartels and received wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Strong Rebuttal
In response to a query whether military intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered for Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote online.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will turn into numerous insurgents across the countryside. And should they arrest the president, whom many of the country holds in high esteem, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using a weapon again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he vowed.
Increased Security and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices spanning Colombian politics have denounced the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Economic Pressure
American authorities revoked the president's entry visa following he urged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
At the same time while America bolstered its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
