The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have turned up the rhetoric of their war of words, heightening strains between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He runs drug factories and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Growing Threats and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president threatened comparable military action against Bogotá, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by a problematic figure who enjoys creating cocaine and trafficking it to the US."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence implicating Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Strained Relationship
Colombia for decades served as a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated dramatically after Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is predominantly run by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised after a historic peace agreement.
The President's Defiant Rebuttal
Upon being questioned if armed intervention comparable to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "That seems like a good idea from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am not illegitimate nor am I a drug trafficker," he declared.
"The US president speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he posted in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb peasants, they will transform into numerous insurgents in the hills. If they capture the nation's leader, whom a large part of Colombians loves and respects, they will release the fierce spirit of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating with the radical M-19 armed organization but is not believed that he never took part in armed clashes. Following his disarmament, he was involved in creating the nation's constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold arms again ... but in defense of my country I will take up the fight," he said.
Reinforced Protection along with Broad Condemnation
Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the president’s protection team was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have sided with Trump's stance, but voices from across the ideological divide have rejected the possibility of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
American authorities revoked Petro’s visa following he called on US troops to ignore any illegal orders. Months later, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and various key allies.
Concurrently as the US increased its military presence in the Caribbean and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, the US also carried out attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
