The US President and President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their exchange, further raising tensions bilaterally following American military units attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Rising Rhetoric and Claims
Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump hinted at comparable military action towards the South American nation, asserting the nation faces serious problems and governed by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Frayed Relationship
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, but relations have deteriorated markedly following Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if military intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility for Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me personally."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the 1990s, rejected these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and I am not a narco," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will release the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed part of his youth as a member with the radical M-19 armed organization although reports indicate that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he participated in writing the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged not to touch a gun ... but for the homeland I would take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief announced that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of an invasion on Colombia.
Political and Economic Pressure
The US withdrew Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of key allies.
At the same time as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on maritime targets off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
