President Trump and his Colombian counterpart have intensified the tone of their exchange, heightening strains in their relations after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," Trump added.
Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the US president threatened analogous military action towards the South American nation, stating the country is also "very ill" and governed by a problematic figure who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the US."
While Colombia stands as the leading source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is personally tied to the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and enjoyed bipartisan support from American politicians, however, the relationship have deteriorated dramatically after Trump was elected.
Its illicit drug economy is mainly overseen by illegal armed groups like one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded subsequent to a landmark accord.
Colombia's Firm Rebuttal
When asked whether a military operation comparable 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 left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am neither illegitimate and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, which a large part of the country loves and respects, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Insurgent to President
He passed some years as a young man as a member with the radical M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in drafting a new constitution over three decades ago and later became an influential politician. He was mayor of the capital city prior to his election the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using a weapon again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures along with Broad Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that Petro's security detail had received additional support.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, but voices from across the political spectrum have rejected the notion of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington cancelled his travel authorization following he encouraged US military personnel to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed economic restrictions targeting Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
