The US President and his Colombian counterpart have escalated the tone of their exchange, heightening tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Escalating Tensions coupled with Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president suggested similar military action against Bogotá, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence that President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the trade.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a staunch collaborator of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated significantly following Trump was elected.
Colombia’s drug trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Golf Clan, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Response
When asked if military intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised decades ago, firmly denied the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"Trump speaks uninformed. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will transform into a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of Bogotá before winning the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that the national leader's protection team had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have denounced the notion of a US attack on Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled Petro’s visa following he urged US troops to disobey orders that violate law. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.
At the same time as the US increased its forces in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out strikes on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
