President Trump and President Gustavo Petro have turned up the tone of their war of words, heightening tensions between the two countries following American military units struck Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Tensions coupled with Allegations
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Trump suggested analogous use of force against Bogotá, stating the nation faces serious problems and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating cocaine and selling it to America."
Although Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine-producing country, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Frayed Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump was elected.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions like the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the former Farc guerrillas, a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation comparable to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader nor am I a narco," he declared.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he posted online.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And should they arrest the nation's leader, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Leader
He passed a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. After demobilizing, he took part in writing the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Reinforced Protection along with Widespread Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the threats of a US attack on Colombia.
Political and Economic Strains
American authorities withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. In October, it placed financial sanctions on Petro, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence near Venezuela and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US have also conducted operations on boats off the Pacific coast near Colombia.
