The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the rhetoric of their exchange, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units targeted Venezuela to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He operates narcotics facilities and production sites and his time is running out," the US president stated.
Escalating Rhetoric and Allegations
Addressing reporters over the weekend, the US president suggested similar use of force towards the South American nation, stating Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who likes making the drug and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, there is no evidence linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is personally tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Relationship
The country was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle against drug trafficking and enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, yet ties have worsened significantly since Trump came to office.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by guerrilla factions such as the Clan del Golfo, another leftist insurgency and breakaway groups of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good to me."
The Colombian leader, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If US bombs target civilians, they will turn into a multitude of fighters in the hills. If they capture the president, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the powerful force of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed he did not participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he took part in drafting the constitutional rewrite over three decades ago and later became a prominent senator. He served as mayor of the capital city prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that Petro's security detail had been reinforced.
A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have allied themselves with Trump, however, leaders from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the notion of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Bilateral and Financial Strains
Washington withdrew his travel authorization following he encouraged US troops to disobey unlawful commands. Months later, the US enacted financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several associates.
At the same time while America bolstered its forces near Venezuela and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters near Colombia.
