President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the volume of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries after US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump added.
Rising Tensions and Accusations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the US president suggested similar military action against Bogotá, claiming Colombia faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure involved in producing cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country has long been a close partner of the United States in the struggle against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have soured dramatically since Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is predominantly run by illegal armed groups like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the former Farc guerrillas, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned whether armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was being considered against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who demobilised in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain me, which many of the population admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging with the radical M-19 guerrilla group though it is believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection and Cross-Political Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from all sides of the political spectrum have rejected the notion of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Sanctions
The US revoked the president's entry visa after he encouraged American soldiers to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, it placed economic restrictions on Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting suspected drug boats against Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces have also conducted operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
