President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the tone of their war of words, increasing tensions between the two countries following US forces targeted Venezuela in an operation to oust the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and his time is running out," Trump added.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Addressing the press on Sunday, Trump suggested similar armed intervention against Bogotá, asserting the country is “very sick too” and governed by an unwell individual who enjoys creating narcotics and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way connected to the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
This nation has long been a close partner of Washington in the fight against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have worsened significantly after Trump was elected.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions including one major cartel, the ELN guerrilla group and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members disbanded following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was on the cards regarding Colombia, Trump said: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle in the last century, firmly denied these allegations. "I am neither illegitimate nor am I a narco," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"Should American forces attack peasants, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the mountains. And if they detain the president, which a significant portion of the country admires and supports, they will provoke the powerful force of the people," he admonished.
From Fighter to Leader
He passed a period in his early life as a member in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement but is not believed to have ever engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he participated in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to never again hold a gun ... but in defense of my country I will take up arms again," he affirmed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's protection team was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s political right have expressed support with the US president, yet figures spanning Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of American military action targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
The US revoked Petro’s visa after he encouraged American soldiers to refuse unlawful commands. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, the first lady and a number of close collaborators.
Simultaneously as the US increased its troop levels near Venezuela and bombing alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces also carried out operations on maritime targets off the Pacific coast adjacent to Colombia.
