President Trump along with his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, increasing tensions bilaterally following US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump remarked.
Growing Rhetoric and Claims
Addressing journalists over the weekend, the American leader threatened comparable use of force against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and led by an unwell individual involved in producing narcotics and selling it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the trade.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country has long been a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened markedly after Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), most of its former fighters disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Strong Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "I like the sound of that to me personally."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who disarmed in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and I am not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without information. End the false accusations," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the hills. If they capture the president, which a large part of the population loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the populace," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Leader
The president dedicated part of his youth belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate to have ever participated in combat. After demobilizing, he took part in creating a new constitution in the early 90s subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I made a vow to never again hold a gun ... but for Colombia I will take up arms again," he vowed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's personal security had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, yet figures from all sides of Colombian politics have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
American authorities cancelled the president's entry visa subsequent to he called on US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his spouse and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously the US was building up its forces in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on maritime targets in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
