President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising strains in their relations after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Threats coupled with Accusations
Talking to the press over the weekend, the American leader suggested similar armed intervention against Colombia, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual involved in producing the drug and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the illicit industry.
A Strained Alliance
The country was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed bipartisan support in the US capital, however, the relationship have deteriorated markedly since Trump came to office.
Colombia’s illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members laid down arms after a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Response
In response to a query whether armed intervention like that in Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who demobilised in the last century, firmly denied the accusations. "I am no illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he declared.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, 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 admires and supports, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the people," Petro warned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent some years as a young man as a member of the leftist M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting a new constitution in 1991 subsequently becoming an influential politician. He served as mayor of the capital city before winning the presidency.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Cross-Political Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump's stance, but voices from across Colombian politics have condemned the possibility of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa subsequent to he encouraged American soldiers to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and a number of key allies.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its troop levels in the region and targeting vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out strikes on boats in the eastern Pacific region off the Colombian coast.
